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

[m0ng0]

Trade a 23 year old with stats similar to Dames at the same age for some chump? That dont make no damn sense. What does that get us?

[PDXKnight]

I think in the eyes of history we will not regret drafting Scoot. Going by Jordan's history betting against his picks usually bodes well

[NO-KG-AI]

I think in the eyes of history we will not regret drafting Scoot. Going by Jordan's history betting against his picks usually bodes well

Seriously. You guys got a monster only because you were 3 when a dumb ass franchise like CHA was at #2.

[Moonbeam]

Trade a 23 year old with stats similar to Dames at the same age for some chump? That dont make no damn sense. What does that get us?

Lillard was far more impactful and productive at age 23 than Simons was. There’s a pretty big gulf there. Ant can get better (and probably will), but he’s not comparable to Dame at 23.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I like our first round picks alright. Scoot was a no-brainer and I had Murray projected to go a tad bit higher even tho he is older and limited but I think he's a "safe" pick for a team needing forward depth, hopefully he can shoot like his brother. I never got on the Leonard Miller hype train so I'm not too bummed about that but I understand why people are upset about a first base bunt instead of a bigger swing.


Not a fan of our second round pick Rupert but I'm gonna trust scouting knows better than me, tankathon had him as a first round pick at least. But passing up on GG or TJD seems like a poor move there. I like New York moving up for Lewis, wish we could have gotten up one pick to grab Vukcevic. Bilal at 7, damn he would have been a great snag but guess others also saw OG like potential there.

[zzaj]

Coming back to this after Murray and Rupert were picked…

My position on Scoot hasn’t really changed. Don’t really love him as a prospect, but the Blazers did the right thing drafting him. Nobody can EVER come at the FO if he doesn’t pan out for whatever reason. I said it before and I’ll say it again…Scoot’s the first domino to Lillard’s departure—either he doesn’t pan and Lillard wants to compete, or he’s great and there’s no need for two starting level PGs. Either way…Lillard’s going eventually.

IMO, it was a mistake not taking Miller Lite when he was there for the taking—my only thought is there is intel we simply don’t know about that made him fall.

I’m not very high on Murray. I sorta view him as a Watford level player, but an okay pick at 23.

I put almost zero stock in the end of the draft, so Rupert is fine. At that late stage it’s incredibly rare to get an NBA player that has the skill to stick on a decent team.

I guess when I look at it, the thing I’m most bummed about is that Chauncey will be the coach next year. He actively lost the team games last season…that is unacceptable from a head coach.

[B0naf1d3]

Blazers fans...we should be thrilled to have Dame, Sharpe, & Scoot. That's the guard rotation for hopefully the rest of Dames career and beyond. While we all wish Scoot was a generational SF/C, he is a guard but It's not the worst thing with Dame aging. They will be able to keep Dame fresher for the playoffs, and allow him to play more off-ball. Scoot in a smaller role is going to be a pest on defense. He will take that challenge. There is plenty minutes for those 3 to co-exist now & into the future.

Dame (34)/Scoot (14)
Sharpe (32)/Scoot (16)

Obviously Simons has to go. Probably Nurkic/Little/picks as well. The draft was the time to be picky, but at this point the Blazers are in desperate need of tall people. They added 3 rookies, so i'm thinking they are going after a spendy player to offset that. I would have never thought this yesterday, but I actually think (& want) the Blazers are going to go after Towns. I am talking myself into it as I type. I can't believe it

What are the Blazers giving up for KAT?

Simons + Nurkic + Little/Keon + future picks?

[Goldbum]

I haven't heard anything yet, but i fully expect it to be "Dame's available" when I do. I think you keep Ant if this is a rebuild. I think Cronin did everything he could but the deal didn't exist and now it's time to "have a conversation". I desperately want HOU to be part of the rebuild trade since they have so many front court guys I love.

[PDXKnight]

I'm guessing everyone was asking for 3 and Sharpe and cronin declined

[Blazinaway]

I'm guessing everyone was asking for 3 and Sharpe and cronin declined

Declined with feeling I hope! Sounds like a lot of low ball offers, we did the right thing

[Goldbum]

There are scouts that had Rupert ahead of Bilal. Some believe he's Herb Jones and the rumor is that he's still growing. I wasn't that high on the pick because I wanted GG, but that's interesting intel.

[Waynearchetype]

Everyone knew the Blazers were in an awkward spot and I'm guessing everyone was hoping to take advantage of it fully, ignoring even decent deals to get more juice from the squeeze.

Oh well, move on.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

[PDXKnight]

I'm guessing everyone was asking for 3 and Sharpe and cronin declined

Declined with feeling I hope! Sounds like a lot of low ball offers, we did the right thing

Yup. And even if we could go all in on a star or 2 and get buy in from Dame what do we have maybe a 1 year 2 year at best guarantee he stays unless things go absolutely perfect? Then we'd be in the same position and will have cashed out on 2-3 premier assets on a small market team where those are super valuable (namely Scoot but sharpe as well)

If we trade dame we can probably get at least 2-3 more premier assets through the draft and trades and fill out our roster with a more cash friendly core. If by losing we get another top 5 pick plus whatever we get from Dame which should be solid then we have a much more cash sensitive core moving ahead

[Effigy]

Does anyone know what the restrictions are on that Chicago pick? Does it eventually lose all protections or turn into a 2nd?

[Norm2953]

Always difficult to make a good move when the other teams sense desperation. I would wonder
if Cronin has earned a bit more respect from other teams by not pulling a Billy King and really
forcing a win now move when none were available.

Next up is the off season. The usual suspects like Orlando added two more guards and doesn't
need Ant. This was a draft with a lot of guards and most teams that needed one, got one and
I really wonder how much of a market is out there for Ant.

[PDXKnight]

Does anyone know what the restrictions are on that Chicago pick? Does it eventually lose all protections or turn into a 2nd?

Yes in 2028

2024 first round draft pick to Chicago
Portland's 1st round pick to Chicago protected for selections 1-14 in 2024, 1-14 in 2025, 1-14 in 2026, 1-14 in 2027 and 1-14 in 2028; if Portland has not conveyed a 1st round pick to Chicago by 2028, then Portland will instead convey its 2028 2nd round pick to Chicago [Chicago-Portland, 8/28/2021]

Basically if we aren't winning now no need to trade it. I'm pretty sure if we were gonna make a move 23 would have gone to Chicago who I'd imagine wouldn't turn down a sure chance at a first today over a chance at a first by 2028

[PDXKnight]

Always difficult to make a good move when the other teams sense desperation. I would wonder
if Cronin has earned a bit more respect from other teams by not pulling a Billy King and really
forcing a win now move when none were available.

Next up is the off season. The usual suspects like Orlando added two more guards and doesn't
need Ant. This was a draft with a lot of guards and most teams that needed one, got one and
I really wonder how much of a market is out there for Ant.

Ants value is probably nil currently given recent events. As much as i hate playing scoot out of position Without a dame trade our best move will probably be to go small ball for a time then hopefully something better comes

Dame/scoot
Anf/scoot
Shaedon
Jerami?
Nurk

[PDXKnight]

Trade a 23 year old with stats similar to Dames at the same age for some chump? That dont make no damn sense. What does that get us?

Lillard was far more impactful and productive at age 23 than Simons was. There’s a pretty big gulf there. Ant can get better (and probably will), but he’s not comparable to Dame at 23.

Exactly. Advanced numbers back that up as well

[DusterBuster]

Does anyone know what the restrictions are on that Chicago pick? Does it eventually lose all protections or turn into a 2nd?

Yes in 2028

2024 first round draft pick to Chicago
Portland's 1st round pick to Chicago protected for selections 1-14 in 2024, 1-14 in 2025, 1-14 in 2026, 1-14 in 2027 and 1-14 in 2028; if Portland has not conveyed a 1st round pick to Chicago by 2028, then Portland will instead convey its 2028 2nd round pick to Chicago [Chicago-Portland, 8/28/2021]

Basically if we aren't winning now no need to trade it. I'm pretty sure if we were gonna make a move 23 would have gone to Chicago who I'd imagine wouldn't turn down a sure chance at a first today over a chance at a first by 2028

And this is what frustrated me at 23 so much and what made me feel lied to by Cronin.

If they were honest about their talk of "all in move around Dame" or "building around Dame's timeline". If that deal to move 23 and release that pick debt was available (not saying it was, we don't know), why don't you just do it and rip the bandaid off? Free it up so that's not hampering you on the off chance an "all in" trade comes available and you need to move 4 or 5 picks. Be proactive!

Now, if that deal theoretically were to ever come to reality and Portland needs to unlock future picks, they basically are forced to remove all protections on it so it will 100% convey to Chicago... and in that scenario, you may be looking at a lottery pick going to the Bulls now. I swear this franchise has zero vision casting for the future.