Post#267 » by Walton1one » Tue Apr 23, 2024 11:54 pm
While this draft may be lacking\devoid? of star\franchise level talent, I am not inclined to believe there are not any future good\great? NBA players to be found. I have seen too many drafts where a player was picked late 1st/2nd, heck undrafted and ended up being a good\great NBA player. I do think there are some intriguing players in this draft, whom, if their ceiling is reached could be better than advertised.
Nor do I think POR can afford to punt on this draft (or any picks for that matter). I think Cronin said it in his exit interview, more than anything else this team needs talent, and while star level talent may not be there, the more swings that POR can take\hit on good talent, means more players\assets to utilize to eventually trade for such a player, IMO.
Also, I certainly don't think having 14 players under contract is a reason to sell draft picks off for marginal value. I am hoping that Cronin plans on offloading some of the veteran players taking up roster space for hopefully something of value, even if it is not optimal.
As for who\what POR should be looking at in this draft. I think they need shooting, rebounding, a PF archetype, the jury is still out on Murray (did not look good IMO, but only Y1) and Camara (had some moments) but neither screams future starting SF to me, so a SF should be looked at, and this draft has a fair amount of intriguing forwards. A back up big would also be ok, not a big need though IMO, I don't think they need to reach for that at #4 for sure.
I read an article talking about Scoot and what would help him with his development would be surrounding him with shooters, to ease pressure when he drives, clearly he needs to improve his shooting. I think his decision making will get better as he gets more experience, 19yr old PG in NBA is not easy. I think this team is lacking in shooting & scoring.
As for POR picks, at #4: Lots of wings available, probably not Sarr, whom if they can take, probably? should.
I could see any of these players making sense.
Risacher - Likely not there, has good size, is the shooting real? even if if ceiling is not reached, maybe a higher floor? Batum like contributor?
Buzelis - He should be there - Outside shooting was not there, yet he was Y1 in G-league, playing against pros, looked good in futures game. He has good size, is a versatile player\scorer, seems more of a team oriented player rather than alpha. Not sure what his ultimate ceiling is, someone mentioned Gordan Hayward?
Holland - He should be there - I can go either way about him. He can score, but is he just one dimensional (scorer only) or does he have more? There are some other good attributes often mentioned about him, hard worker, hustles, crafty scorer, plays defense. He put up points in G league, more of an Alpha (at least in G league) than Buzelis, the outside shot is concerning. Just not sure if he is a Rudy Gay like chucker or can be a go to scorer and contribute to team play. POR could use someone who can score when they need a basket though. Also, apparently he is more like 6'5, which makes me pause and consider...
Castle - Likely will be there, shooting is a concern, size\fit maybe a concern? I mean if Simons is dealt then adding another guard could work, a three guard rotation of Scoot\Castle\Sharpe is intriguing. He hustles, good defense, athletic, contributes to winning is the way I view him. Offense\shooting is the key, can it develop or is it what it is? Can't have 2 of that rotation struggle shooting.
Cody Williams should be there, I think he looks very fluid\skilled, he is just raw\skinny, injury did not help his development, I think he is several years away to becoming what he can be, but seems to have all the skills, POR can afford to wait on him, if you believe in his skillset. Would feel better if he was taken later 6-8
Stay away from: Dillingham Sheppard, Topic. With the caveat, unless they think Dillingham\Sheppard are the next Tyrese Maxey level of talent then I guess, but the fit IMO is not good, Topic is an intriguing player, but they have Scoot, Can't play\start both and IMO if you take Topic you are going all in on him and are dealing Scoot. IMO they need to give Scoot more time (a couple of years) to either show he is the guy or not, drafting another PG, unless you are 100% convinced they are a star level talent, just does not make sense to me. If they think Topic is that guy, then yeah you do it.
On the Fence: Clingan, not at #4, I guess he wouldn't be a terrible pick. Again, you have Ayton there for the forseeable future, I just don't think Clingan is so much more valuable than what you could pick\trade for later to justify a #4 pick.
At #14: I like Tyler Smith, I almost doubt he would be there at that pick, but he has good size, shooting, needs to work on defense, but he is 19. Needs time to develop obviously, but he showed well in G-league and has a nice overall skillset
I could see drafting Knecht if he is there? He can shoot, definitely a need for this team, likely more of an off the bench scorer type IMO? I don't think he will be there at #14 though
Others I like:
Da Silva - older, but he knows what he is, and can contribute elsewhere. Another guy who has good size, can shoot and also contribute in other ways. Definitely more of a role player, but I like him more than what I saw out of Murray this year, but there are some similarities there.
Salaun - He is Intriguing, very young, I know little about him.
Furphy - I think he could be a sleeper if he enters, a rangy wing, like Williams he will need time to develop, but he has good size, can shoot, has some bounce to his game.
2nd Round - Watching Brunson got me thinking, how many players from blue chip programs that fell to late 1st\2nd round ended up being way better pros? Specifically from blue chip (loaded) programs like UConn, UK, NC, Villanova
2018 - Brunson\Villanova, Vanderbilt\UK, Trent Jr\Duke - Late 1st - Allen\Duke
2019 - Late 1st: Johnson\UK
2020 - Late 1st - Maxey\UK, Quickley\UK
2021 - Late 1st: Johnson\Duke
Had me checking out guys like Harrison Ingram\NC, Edwards\UK, Jones\Marquette, Newton\UConn - Newton was a good player on a great team, yet is viewed as a mid 2nd rounder, same as Jones. Both Ingram & Edwards were highly touted high school players who did not show a ton in college. Ingram is older and had a good year, Edwards was a freshman and showed little, but again he played with Dillingham\Sheppard\Wagner\Ivisic\Bradshaw. maybe worth a 2nd round flyer if you think there is more than he showed?
Other players I thought were intriguing:
Pacome Diadet - Not sure what makes him less of a prospect than Salaun? Could be a draft\stash type. Looked intriguing from what I saw, size\athleticism wise
Carlton Carrington - very young guard, played well, would he likely be a higher pick next year?
Baylor Scheierman - can shoot, surprising passer, has limitations, but as an off the bench shooter, I could see him fitting
Oso Ighodaro - great size & intangibles, athletic, skinny, needs time to develop, but as a project big he is intriguing