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

[GEE]

I still think the SMART (Not Sexy) move is to offer Jordan the #3 + Keon for M. Williams. Let Jordan gamble with Zion, and draft Miller too. That would give MJ: Ball / Bridges / Miller / Zion. Scoot at #3 goes to the Pels.

DON'T TRADE YOUNG and controled, FOR OLD and expensive! Keep Building! Dame can stay as long as he wants... Don't care really, but Keep Building!

Rui Hachimura is my #1 free-agent target (Full MLE) and Payton Pritchard is my cherry on top.

If I could accomplish the above, and I could convince Dame to chose BKN before the draft...

Simons / Dinwiddie / Pritchard
Sharpe / Thybulle
Grant / Little / Knox
Simmons / RUI / Watford
Williams / Claxton / Eubanks / Walker

#22(BKN), #23(NYK), 2 additional FFRPs from BKN + 2 Swaps

Or we can keep building around Dame... because we owe it to him?

[Goldbum]

If it's Scoot and a bonkers deal isn't available I think you a probably best off doing the unthinkable and trading Dame. If it's Miller you try to upgrade the Center spot and roll that team out. You would be betting that Sharp + Miller pop quickly and we make some noise in the playoffs. The funny thing is I would rather keep Scoot than trade for Zion but I would give up Miller to take that swing

[Norm2953]

I just can't see Portland trading for Zion for he'd be a Hornet if the Pelican offer was too much
to pass up.

It'll be Scoot and we'll see how the Dame/Scoot dynamic plays out.

[Heatmiser]

I just can't see Portland trading for Zion for he'd be a Hornet if the Pelican offer was too much
to pass up.

It'll be Scoot and we'll see how the Dame/Scoot dynamic plays out.

This is the outcome I'm hoping for, but I'd take it a step forward and say the we need to fully embrace a rebuild and get the best assets for Lillard.

I just don't see a realistic pathway for this team to reach the finals or win a championship during Lillard's contract. NO wasted Lillard's prime by refusing to make trades for players he grew attached to.

I'd rather see Dame get a shot with an east coast time, and get the best haul possible to fully rebuild. I'm also very hesitant and concerned about bringing in Zion and giving up one of the best assets to further the rebuild.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=ytu8_lCpASqsmEN-XvYq2g

This is tracking with what was reported earlier today. I think Marang was the first to mention it, and now Haynes… very likely Haynes could be a major source for Marang as they had a little crossover from the Comcast Sports NW days I believe. Hence why Haynes goes on RipCity radio / Dwight Jaynes show.

[The Sebastian Express]

I'll be honest in my preference is Scoot just because it's always fun watching new young guys with such untapped potential and loads of charisma, but I'd be okay with taking the swing on zion (with a little incentive added considering his concerns). Or Bridges because of the fit.

[The Sebastian Express]

Also Haynes as a contact for Morang would make sense.

[DusterBuster]

Also Haynes as a contact for Morang would make sense.

Haynes confirmed that Zion would be someone Dame would get excited about playing with, if his mind is in the right spot and he’s committed to his fitness and being in Portland. Consider Chris’ relationship with Dame, I think you can consider this is a solid opinion of what Dame wants.

Haynes still thinks as of today, they are still keeping the pick and taking it, but he does say that it could be smokescreens to get teams more desperate for the pick and a lot can change in 48hrs… but Scoot is a hard guy to pass up as he’s the most NBA ready guy in the draft and is a special physical talent.

Hayes also said it’s looking solid that Scoot is the 3rd pick. Another source coming out of the last workout in Charlotte that the Hornets have made up their mind on Miller.

[Brandon-Clyde]

Zion has talent but I have a hard time trading the 3rd pick for a player that could be out of the league before Dame. Zion's health issues are really concerning and when you add the recent off court drama I really don't want to take the risk.

[Heatmiser]

Portland may not have another top 3 pick for another decade. And even if they did, it will likely be in a much weaker draft. We are staring a young, solid rookie in the eyes who will be on a good contract, and we're considering saying, "no thanks" for the chance of bringing in a player as old as Dame or younger but often inured and unmotivated? I'm usually incredibly excited this time of year with the draft, but now I fear a dumb move with not only result in a early playoff exit but also destroy a brighter future.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Portland may not have another top 3 pick for another decade. And even if they did, it will likely be in a much weaker draft. We are staring a young, solid rookie in the eyes who will be on a good contract, and we're considering saying, "no thanks" for the chance of bringing in a player as old as Dame or younger but often inured and unmotivated? I'm usually incredibly excited this time of year with the draft, but now I fear a dumb move with not only result in a early playoff exit but also destroy a brighter future.

I too have an uneasy feeling.

Also, you get a +1 for your username alone.

[Norm2953]

It would be amazing if we had a top 3 pick in a 3 player draft and managed to mess things up.

We do not know what the 2024 draft would look like but looking over at NBA draft room, there seems
to be an inordinate amount of bigs listed. It might be a big man draft

[DusterBuster]

Zion has talent but I have a hard time trading the 3rd pick for a player that could be out of the league before Dame. Zion's health issues are really concerning and when you add the recent off court drama I really don't want to take the risk.

People would have said the same thing after Embiid’s 4th year as well.

Not every player who has injury problems their first few seasons are Greg Oden. I feel like his shadow is casting a large shadow over most Blazer fans.

[Norm2953]

I could at least understand Zion. Trading for PG who is an expiring contract seems nuts to me.

[Jsun947]

Zion and Oden share more than injuries. Neither took rehab seriously, struggled with addiction issues, and didn’t seem to love basketball.

Is it a gamble worth taking? I’m not sure…

What I do know is Dane and CJ are close so I’m sure they’ve talked about Zion before and what he’s like as a teammate.

[Norm2953]

Zion and Oden share more than injuries. Neither took rehab seriously, struggled with addiction issues, and didn’t seem to love basketball.

Is it a gamble worth taking? I’m not sure…

What I do know is Dane and CJ are close so I’m sure they’ve talked about Zion before and what he’s like as a teammate.

Good points! We can only hope it's CJ who will tell Dame to inform Cronin to pass on Zion

[GreenRiddler]

Zion or Ingram are the best of both worlds. Placates Dame and gives us a young guy in case we need to trade Dame.

Of course there is a risk with his health but we aren’t getting a potential top 10 talent for Dame with 0 risk.

I’d do it in a heartbeat we just gotta hope that Scoot is there at 3

Dame
Thybulle/Sharpe
Grant
Zion
Nurk

Or even Ingram for 3

Dame
Thybulle/Sharpe
Ingram
Grant
Nurk

If I was a betting man I say Ingram is a Blazer maybe even Siakim if the raptors really like Ant and go rebuild on his expiring and we can make a trade around Scoot plus filler for Ingram if NO really loves Scoot

Dame
Thybulle/Sharpe
Ingram
Spicy P
Nurk

That’s a contender right there if healthy

[DusterBuster]

Zion and Oden share more than injuries. Neither took rehab seriously, struggled with addiction issues, and didn’t seem to love basketball.

Maybe my memory is going, but this not at all what I remember. Oden did love basketball and did take rehab seriously, he had two legs different **** lengths lol. Dudes body was legit just not made for basketball from the jump.

Zions injury issues is just conditioning and desire. Part of the desire could be distractions in a party city like NO and that he reportedly never wanted to be in New Orleans. This tracks why Haynes said the Blazers need to make sure he wants to be in Portland.

Also don’t think Zion doesn’t love basketball. He doesn’t have that insane love of ball like MJ/Dame/LeBron/Butler/KG etc, which is that “IT” factor, but you also don’t need that to win. Jokic doesn’t have that, Duncan didn’t have that, Kawhi didn’t have that… arguably Steph doesn’t either…

You may or may not agree with these examples, but the “love” of basketball is subjective, even for Zion.

[Brandon-Clyde]

Zion has talent but I have a hard time trading the 3rd pick for a player that could be out of the league before Dame. Zion's health issues are really concerning and when you add the recent off court drama I really don't want to take the risk.

People would have said the same thing after Embiid’s 4th year as well.

Not every player who has injury problems their first few seasons are Greg Oden. I feel like his shadow is casting a large shadow over most Blazer fans.

The difference to me is that several of Zion's health issues are because to this point he hasn't taken care of his well being. The first time that happened I would have started worrying about his commitment to stay healthy but it has happened multiple times now so that really concerns me. Then there is the off court drama and having read several articles about what has occurred I now worry even more about his decision making. Embiid say what you will about his injuries and play style at least took himself seriously on rehab and staying out of off court drama except for the occasional tweet that was more eye rolling than a " what the he'll" reaction. Trading for Zion unless he comes cheap in assets could cost the franchise for the better part of a decade if it goes south.

[Goldbum]

Don't shoot the messenger. I was told a Zion to Portland deal is being discussed. I was also told that they are looking for a multi team deal that keeps pick 3 and sends out Dame for Zion. To reiterate Portland wants Zion badly and both versions are being explored.
3 for Zion and keep Dame
Or
Dame for Zion and keep 3
Lastly
Dame for Zion does NOT mean Grant will be let go. They feel that those 2 can coexist at the forwards.

Some Suns related intel.

It's unlikely Portland will continue to pursue Ayton.

Beal wants Ayton on the Suns.

The Beal trade means we are less likely to go all in on a short window.



I just got a little sick. It's my birthday and I hope the Blazers don't do me dirty.

The Hornets decision is looked at skeptically. Some see it as a smokescreen.

Yuck...that is all.