2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[dckingsfan]

It is "interesting" that we will either pick 1-4 or likely 9-11.

[Walton1one]

No Ceilings, Big Board v6

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-draft-big-board-v6?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=536361&post_id=160452913&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1f5gb9&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Top 4 pretty locked in: Flagg - Harper - Bailey - Edgecombe

The only decision I see here is b\t #3/#4, depending on the team, POR for example, whom would they take? Bailey or Edgecombe. Could there be another player that could sneak into the Top 4 pushing one of these guys out? Maybe, but I have not really seen anyone predicting that yet.

#5 - Derik Queen
#6 - Kasparas Jakucionis

Jakucionis will be a player to watch, as he has consistently been mocked around top 5 (@ #5), but lately there have been several mocks with him closer to #10, a few even outside the top 10. he could be a player that is not expected to be there, but ends up in POR range. Question is, would they take him?

#7 - Tre Johnson
#8 - Kon Knueppel
#9 - Khaman Maluach

No real surprise here, all 3 are expected to be top 10 picks.

#10 - Colin Murray-Boyles
#11 - Jeremiah Fears
#12 - Egor Demin
#13 - Nique Clifford
#14 - Carter Bryant

If POR ends up @ #9/10, I doubt they would take Maluach, but that would leave some interesting choices on the board: Clifford, Demin, Fears, Bryant, Richardson. I can't see them taking Murray-Boyles, nor do I get the appeal, some look at him as a potential Draymond-like player if the 3pt shot develops, I think there are far better options here than Murray-Boyles. I would say that POR shoudl address shooting, but they so far clearly have not cared about it. I think Fears will go top 10. IMO, tough call b\t Demin - Clifford & Bryant (or Knueppel if he dropped)

#15 - Rasheer Fleming
#16 - Asa Newell
#17 - Jase Richardson
#18 - Liam McNeeley
#19 - Danny Wolf
#20 - Ben Saraf

McNeeley was once considered lottery, borderline top 10, not dropping as much as other players passing him IMO. Originally I thought he would be a good pick for POR (still could be), but now I think a lot of other players are more appealing. Another guy who could be a POR fit is Asa Newell, fits the archetype POR seems to prefer. I think Richardson probably sneaks into the lottery? Not a huge fan of Wolf\Fleming.

#21 - Thomas Sorber\FR
#22 - Noa Essengue
#23 - Hugo Gonzalez
#24 - Johni Broome\SR
#25 - Will Riley\FR

Both Sorber & Essengue could be lottery picks by the time the draft comes, most mocks have them higher, and both are higher potential upside picks than some of the names listed before here. Gonzalez is a real wild card, at one time he was listed as a top 5 prospect, but limited playing time makes him a mystery man. It will eb interesting to see what team (if he even does) works out for. I wonder if POR would be one of them. he could be a real steal. Riley is another high upside potential but with more concerns from teams apparently. Broome could be picked anywhere from here to the 2nd round. He gets by on bully ball in college but I am not convinced that will work in the NBA

#26 - Adou Thiero\JR
#27 - Walter Clayton Jr\SR
#28 - Nolan Traore
#29 - LaBaron Philon\FR
#30 - Yaxel Lendeborg\SR

With the new era of NIL, how many of these guys go back to school? Lendeborg, Philon, maybe Thiero? I could see all 3 of these guys withdrawing b\c they are getting better pay days in college. Lendeborg is a SR but has another year left and has already committed to Michigan. I think Traore will go higher than he is listed here, his stock is on the rise and a year ago he was a Top 5 pick. NCAA tourney performance matters, Clayton was listed as a back end 2nd rounder and now many mocks have him as a 1st rounder, which is possible

#31 - Boogie Fland\FR
#32 - Alex Condon\SO
#33 - Kam Jones\SR
#34 - Tahaad Pettiford\FR
#35 - Miles Byrd\SO
#36 - Alex Karaban\SR
#37 - Joan Beringer
#38 - Maxime Raynaud\SR
#39 - Ryan Kalkbrenner\SR
#40 - JT Toppin\SO
#41 - Ian Jackson\FR
#42 - Thomas Haugh\SO
#43 - Noah Penda
#44 - Tyrese Proctor\JR
#45 - RJ Luis\JR
#46 - Cedric Howard\SR
#47 - Isaiah Evans\FR
#48 - Drake Powell\FR
#49 - Xavian Lee\JR
#50 - Payton Sandfort\SR

I listed all these names here b\c you have (6) Freshman, (4) Sophmores & (3) Juniors. That is 13 of the 20 names listed, whom all\most could go back to school and make more money than they would as a 2nd round pick (and possibly improve their draft stock).

I am curious to see how many underclassmen that are not bonafide 1st round picks end up staying in the draft this year, b\c if they don't you are going to see a lot of international names and guys like Dink Pate (#51), Sergio de Larrea, Boguljub Markovic, Rocco Zikarsky, Michael Ruzic, Alex Toohey, Johann Grunloh going in the 2nd instead and seniors like Sion James, Micah Peavy, Hunter Sallis, Chaz Lanier, Eric Dixon, Koby Brea, Jamir Watkins, mark Sears Jaxson Robinson filling up the 2nd round instead

If you do see a guy like Boogie Fland or Pettiford, Powell, Jackson or Evans remain in the draft, it could be a signal that they have got a promise from a team in the 1st round or maybe a team in the 2nd that has promised to sign them to a 3 or 4 year deal via the 2nd round pick exception

...the second-round pick exception allows NBA teams to sign their second-round picks to standard contracts without requiring cap room or another exception (such as the mid-level) to do so.

Like the rookie scale exception, the second-round pick exception isn’t limited to a single use. It can be deployed as many times as needed in a given league year.

The second-round exception can be used to sign a player to either a three-year contract that includes a third-year team option or a four-year contract that features a fourth-year team option...The values of the second-round pick exception change every year along with the NBA’s minimum salary scale,

Three-year deal
- The first year can be worth up to the minimum salary for a player with one year of NBA experience.
- The second and third years are worth the second- and third-year minimum salaries for a rookie.
- The third year is a team option.

Four-year deal
- The first year can be worth up to the minimum salary for a player with two years of NBA experience.
- The second year can be worth up to the second-year minimum salary for a player with one year of experience.
- The third and fourth years are worth the third- and fourth-year minimum salaries for a rookie.
- The fourth year is a team option.

a 3yr deal LY could max around $6.2mil, a 4yr deal LY could max around $9mil

Another interesting aspect of this exception

Players who are signed using the second-round pick exception don’t count against a team’s cap between July 1 and July 30 of their first season.

That rule allows teams to preserve all the cap room they need until July 31 without having to worry about their second-rounders cutting into it, as well as positioning those players to sign their first NBA contracts before taking part in Summer League games.

[dckingsfan]

Spoiler:

No Ceilings, Big Board v6

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-draft-big-board-v6?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=536361&post_id=160452913&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1f5gb9&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Top 4 pretty locked in: Flagg - Harper - Bailey - Edgecombe

The only decision I see here is b\t #3/#4, depending on the team, POR for example, whom would they take? Bailey or Edgecombe. Could there be another player that could sneak into the Top 4 pushing one of these guys out? Maybe, but I have not really seen anyone predicting that yet.

#5 - Derik Queen
#6 - Kasparas Jakucionis

Jakucionis will be a player to watch, as he has consistently been mocked around top 5 (@ #5), but lately there have been several mocks with him closer to #10, a few even outside the top 10. he could be a player that is not expected to be there, but ends up in POR range. Question is, would they take him?

#7 - Tre Johnson
#8 - Kon Knueppel
#9 - Khaman Maluach

No real surprise here, all 3 are expected to be top 10 picks.

#10 - Colin Murray-Boyles
#11 - Jeremiah Fears
#12 - Egor Demin
#13 - Nique Clifford
#14 - Carter Bryant

If POR ends up @ #9/10, I doubt they would take Maluach, but that would leave some interesting choices on the board: Clifford, Demin, Fears, Bryant, Richardson. I can't see them taking Murray-Boyles, nor do I get the appeal, some look at him as a potential Draymond-like player if the 3pt shot develops, I think there are far better options here than Murray-Boyles. I would say that POR shoudl address shooting, but they so far clearly have not cared about it. I think Fears will go top 10. IMO, tough call b\t Demin - Clifford & Bryant (or Knueppel if he dropped)

#15 - Rasheer Fleming
#16 - Asa Newell
#17 - Jase Richardson
#18 - Liam McNeeley
#19 - Danny Wolf
#20 - Ben Saraf

McNeeley was once considered lottery, borderline top 10, not dropping as much as other players passing him IMO. Originally I thought he would be a good pick for POR (still could be), but now I think a lot of other players are more appealing. Another guy who could be a POR fit is Asa Newell, fits the archetype POR seems to prefer. I think Richardson probably sneaks into the lottery? Not a huge fan of Wolf\Fleming.

#21 - Thomas Sorber\FR
#22 - Noa Essengue
#23 - Hugo Gonzalez
#24 - Johni Broome\SR
#25 - Will Riley\FR

Both Sorber & Essengue could be lottery picks by the time the draft comes, most mocks have them higher, and both are higher potential upside picks than some of the names listed before here. Gonzalez is a real wild card, at one time he was listed as a top 5 prospect, but limited playing time makes him a mystery man. It will eb interesting to see what team (if he even does) works out for. I wonder if POR would be one of them. he could be a real steal. Riley is another high upside potential but with more concerns from teams apparently. Broome could be picked anywhere from here to the 2nd round. He gets by on bully ball in college but I am not convinced that will work in the NBA

#26 - Adou Thiero\JR
#27 - Walter Clayton Jr\SR
#28 - Nolan Traore
#29 - LaBaron Philon\FR
#30 - Yaxel Lendeborg\SR

With the new era of NIL, how many of these guys go back to school? Lendeborg, Philon, maybe Thiero? I could see all 3 of these guys withdrawing b\c they are getting better pay days in college. Lendeborg is a SR but has another year left and has already committed to Michigan. I think Traore will go higher than he is listed here, his stock is on the rise and a year ago he was a Top 5 pick. NCAA tourney performance matters, Clayton was listed as a back end 2nd rounder and now many mocks have him as a 1st rounder, which is possible

#31 - Boogie Fland\FR
#32 - Alex Condon\SO
#33 - Kam Jones\SR
#34 - Tahaad Pettiford\FR
#35 - Miles Byrd\SO
#36 - Alex Karaban\SR
#37 - Joan Beringer
#38 - Maxime Raynaud\SR
#39 - Ryan Kalkbrenner\SR
#40 - JT Toppin\SO
#41 - Ian Jackson\FR
#42 - Thomas Haugh\SO
#43 - Noah Penda
#44 - Tyrese Proctor\JR
#45 - RJ Luis\JR
#46 - Cedric Howard\SR
#47 - Isaiah Evans\FR
#48 - Drake Powell\FR
#49 - Xavian Lee\JR
#50 - Payton Sandfort\SR

I listed all these names here b\c you have (6) Freshman, (4) Sophmores & (3) Juniors. That is 13 of the 20 names listed, whom all\most could go back to school and make more money than they would as a 2nd round pick (and possibly improve their draft stock).

I am curious to see how many underclassmen that are not bonafide 1st round picks end up staying in the draft this year, b\c if they don't you are going to see a lot of international names and guys like Dink Pate (#51), Sergio de Larrea, Boguljub Markovic, Rocco Zikarsky, Michael Ruzic, Alex Toohey, Johann Grunloh going in the 2nd instead and seniors like Sion James, Micah Peavy, Hunter Sallis, Chaz Lanier, Eric Dixon, Koby Brea, Jamir Watkins, mark Sears Jaxson Robinson filling up the 2nd round instead

If you do see a guy like Boogie Fland or Pettiford, Powell, Jackson or Evans remain in the draft, it could be a signal that they have got a promise from a team in the 1st round or maybe a team in the 2nd that has promised to sign them to a 3 or 4 year deal via the 2nd round pick exception

...the second-round pick exception allows NBA teams to sign their second-round picks to standard contracts without requiring cap room or another exception (such as the mid-level) to do so.

Like the rookie scale exception, the second-round pick exception isn’t limited to a single use. It can be deployed as many times as needed in a given league year.

The second-round exception can be used to sign a player to either a three-year contract that includes a third-year team option or a four-year contract that features a fourth-year team option...The values of the second-round pick exception change every year along with the NBA’s minimum salary scale,

Three-year deal
- The first year can be worth up to the minimum salary for a player with one year of NBA experience.
- The second and third years are worth the second- and third-year minimum salaries for a rookie.
- The third year is a team option.

Four-year deal
- The first year can be worth up to the minimum salary for a player with two years of NBA experience.
- The second year can be worth up to the second-year minimum salary for a player with one year of experience.
- The third and fourth years are worth the third- and fourth-year minimum salaries for a rookie.
- The fourth year is a team option.

a 3yr deal LY could max around $6.2mil, a 4yr deal LY could max around $9mil

Another interesting aspect of this exception

Players who are signed using the second-round pick exception don’t count against a team’s cap between July 1 and July 30 of their first season.

That rule allows teams to preserve all the cap room they need until July 31 without having to worry about their second-rounders cutting into it, as well as positioning those players to sign their first NBA contracts before taking part in Summer League games.

So, if we pick #9, who do you like? I think 1-4 will be self-selecting.

I like

Spoiler:

Tre Johnson.

[Case2012]

At 9, probably Clifford if we're trying to make the play in now.. Which is crazy but that's clearly the direction this clown show is going in.

[DusterBuster]

If the Blazers are just picking at 9/10, I would probably just go for Denim.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I've seen some mock draft that have the Blazers selecting Jase Richardson. I will be pissed!!! I am done with 6'3" shooting guards. I don't watch college ball so I don't know squat about anyone. I simply don't want another short SG. We watched that for 10-years and I'm ready to be done with that. I'd really like to find a PF in this draft.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I really tried to like Demin, and I do... It's an archetype of player I am usually drawn toward and he reminds me of a player I have always kind of liked (Bogdanovic) and I think he will have a fine career as a fairly well rounded jack-of-all-trades/master-of-none type player, but like Bogdan I have trouble seeing what role he plays at a high level in the league.

I just don't think he is a good enough playmaker to be a full time PG, and he isn't enough of a defender or scorer at his size to be someone you have to keep on the court as much as possible. I think he can be a glue guy in a lot of ways and a positive player/connecting piece but probably a career journeyman that floats from situation to situation as a useful hired gun but not an essential type role player.

Not trying to bag on him because again he reminds me of a guy I like and its an archetype that I usually fall in love with but for whatever reason I'm having trouble getting real enthused. I guess to say it most succinctly, I think he will be someone who will be more productive for his 2nd and/or 3rd team after he has some seasoning.

There are worse picks and he could prove me wrong, he has a higher ceiling than some of the other guys projected in that range due to his unconventional skillset. If he can become a 40% shooter from 3 then suddenly he is a guy you love having out there as a secondary ball-handler, that type of improvement is not unheard of so certainly worse gambles to take late lotto.

[Case2012]

IDK if WCJ has the same overall talent and upside of Dame and Curry, but shooting is king and he kid is a dead-eye. Elite from the line and while he is just around 40% from 3, he regularly is creating his own 3 which drives down % (IE not feasting off catch-and-shoots from guys).

I know Flemming is generally liked on this board but we need to also talk about Yaxel Lendeborg. 6'9, 240lbs and posted some wild stats ay UAB -

33mpg / 17.7ppg / 11.4rpg / 4.2apg / 1.8bpg / 1.7spg / 52% FG / 36% 3PT / 76% FT

Competition is poor so hard to know what the stats really mean but sure looks like a well rounded player. Old though compared to Flemming at 22+.

Yeah, here we go again. I've seen you mention Lendeborg a few times and wow. Add him to the list of guys I am absolutely enamored with.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=NoCeilingsNBA

This seems to shift daily at this point, but I’m really starting to believe we could be a much better team next season by adding 3–4 experienced older players — guys who may not have superstar hype but project as high-level role players, with real upside.

Here are a few I’d target:

Clifford
Clayton Jr.
Fleming
Lendeborg
Wolf (not as high on him as the others, but I still like what he brings)

We clearly played better without Grant, Ayton, and Simons. If we replaced their minutes with 2–3 of these prospects, I think we’re looking at an easy +5 to +10 win improvement next season. These guys bring exactly what our starters lacked: shooting, playmaking, defensive instincts, and high basketball IQ. Most importantly, they play complete games — not one-dimensional like the vets we’ve been relying on.

We’d basically become the OKC of last year, but without an All-Star — just stacked with smart, team-first players who do a bit of everything. And honestly? If we can’t land a true star, I’d be just fine building a deep, versatile roster filled with guys who play the right way and have few holes outside of athleticism or age. That kind of identity could go a long way in turning the franchise around.

[dckingsfan]

At 9, probably Clifford if we're trying to make the play in now.. Which is crazy but that's clearly the direction this clown show is going in.

If you want Clifford, you trade down. He is mocked to go in the late 20s.

[dckingsfan]

If the Blazers are just picking at 9/10, I would probably just go for Denim.

Why Demin over say Tre Johnson? Johnson could be gone by 9 though...

[BlazersBroncos]

Yeah, here we go again. I've seen you mention Lendeborg a few times and wow. Add him to the list of guys I am absolutely enamored with.

I like both him and Flemming - to me Rasheer is a PF who can play small ball C while Yaxel is more position locked at PF - not sure he has the movement skills you want for SF. The age, obviously you prefer Rasheer who is 2 year younger. But Yaxel offers a TON more in terms of passing, and has posted some eye popping STOCK numbers.

Rasheer played against better comp - but the 2 actually went head-to-head in the NIT and Yaxel (Outside an astounding 7 TO) played much better -

Yaxel - 38mp / 16pts / 17rbd / 3ast / 3stl / 2blk (5-16 / 1-2 / 5-8)
Rasheer - 18mp / 6pts / 2rbd / 1stl / 1blk (2-8 / 0-4 / 2-2)

IDK if Rasheer got injured or what - dont understand that 18mp. But figured the head-to-head was interesting.

Yaxel was a Ju-Co guy so only had 2 years at UAB - he needs to scale up the 3PT shooting but his FT% is really appealing for that (80% then 76%).

Flemming had better 3PT volume, but his FT% isnt as good (69%, 61%, 74%).

Hard to decide between them - but I like them both. Dont see either as having the upside of Noa but if we could get out of this draft with one of Flemming / Yaxel and Clifford (As the new 3rd guard) - that would be a nice outcome. A few doubles rather than swinging on a home run (Noa IMO) but a swing that has a high chance of missing.

Random trade idea - Simons + Murray + 10 for KCP + Black + 16 + 20.

ORL gets their scorer but also trades up to snag Fears as the PGOTF.
PDX takes on KCP but snags Black to kick the tires as a 3rd guard (And in theory he would be a great fit in that role complimenting Scoot and Sharpe), snags 2 FRP to draft Flemming or Yaxel + Clifford.

G - Scoot Henderson / Anthony Black / Dalano Banton
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Nique Clifford
F - Toumari Camara / Matisse Thybulle / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Yaxel Lendenberg or Rasheer Flemming
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Duop Reath

As for Demin, he is a much better passer and 6'9 vs 6'5 but he has a ton of MCW to his game IMO. The bust potential is sky high. I am pretty out on him for this team - another non-shooter is just a bridge too far.

I really tried to like Demin, and I do... It's an archetype of player I am usually drawn toward and he reminds me of a player I have always kind of liked (Bogdanovic) and I think he will have a fine career as a fairly well rounded jack-of-all-trades/master-of-none type player, but like Bogdan I have trouble seeing what role he plays at a high level in the league.

I have such a hard time seeing this comparison because Bogdan is a better shooter than Demin likely ever is even in his most ideal outcome. BB is a career 85% FT / 39% 3PT guy.

[dckingsfan]

Here are a few I’d target:

Clifford
Clayton Jr.
Fleming
Lendeborg
Wolf (not as high on him as the others, but I still like what he brings)

We clearly played better without Grant, Ayton, and Simons. If we replaced their minutes with 2–3 of these prospects, I think we’re looking at an easy +5 to +10 win improvement next season. These guys bring exactly what our starters lacked: shooting, playmaking, defensive instincts, and high basketball IQ. Most importantly, they play complete games — not one-dimensional like the vets we’ve been relying on.

We’d basically become the OKC of last year, but without an All-Star — just stacked with smart, team-first players who do a bit of everything. And honestly? If we can’t land a true star, I’d be just fine building a deep, versatile roster filled with guys who play the right way and have few holes outside of athleticism or age. That kind of identity could go a long way in turning the franchise around.

In this case you are definitely trading down and should be able to get at least 2 with trade downs. Which team(s) would you target for the trade down?

[Case2012]

The basketball gods need to make the Orl/ Simons trade happen.

I've seen Clifford go as high as 13 and low as 27, also Clayton is moving up rapidly after winning the Finals. I've seen him as high as 20.

The thing for me is is if I'm trading down, I'm doing it for 2 of Clifford, Yaxel, Clayton, or Fleming and they all seem to be moving up in mock drafts so I'm not sure we could get even get 2 of them.

[tester551]

Hard to decide between them - but I like them both. Dont see either as having the upside of Noa but if we could get out of this draft with one of Flemming / Yaxel and Clifford (As the new 3rd guard) - that would be a nice outcome. A few doubles rather than swinging on a home run (Noa IMO) but a swing that has a high chance of missing.

Noa + Clifford is the play.

Trade with Atlanta -> #10 for #14 + #24

[BlazersBroncos]

Hard to decide between them - but I like them both. Dont see either as having the upside of Noa but if we could get out of this draft with one of Flemming / Yaxel and Clifford (As the new 3rd guard) - that would be a nice outcome. A few doubles rather than swinging on a home run (Noa IMO) but a swing that has a high chance of missing.

Noa + Clifford is the play.

Trade with Atlanta -> #10 for #14 + #24

Think I like this more than my idea.

A big swing and a guy likely to be at least a Top-8 rotation guy in Clifford.

Noa is pretty close to being a unicorn. Watch that guy move at 6'10 - its unreal.

[Case2012]

Why not move Simons to Orlando for pick 16, then flip 9/10 to Atlanta for picks 14 and 24?

Assuming we aren’t high on Essengue — which I’m not — here’s a potential outcome:

14 – Clifford

16 – Fleming

24 – Clayton Jr.

That gives us three high-IQ, well-rounded nba ready plyers who could immediately raise our floor. And if Cronin could actually deal the vets (which he probably won’t, let’s be real), the roster could look something like this:

PG: Scoot / Clayton Jr.
SG: Sharpe / Clifford / Rupert
SF: Camara / Fleming
PF: Deni / Kris Murray / Jabari Walker
C: Clingan / Reath

Plus whatever salary filler we have to take back in trades.

No All-Stars yet, but honestly? I love that core. That team wins 20–30 games just by competing hard — not tanking, not fluking into wins, just grinding teams down with effort, spacing, and smarts. Then we’re back in the high lottery in 2026 with another shot at a real star to plug into a strong, balanced roster.

Would Cronin actually draft three older rookies who fit and play defense? Probably not. But this is the move if you’re trying to build a culture and a long-term winner without banking on free agency or lottery luck.

[Walton1one]

So, if we pick #9, who do you like? I think 1-4 will be self-selecting.

I like

Spoiler:

Tre Johnson.

I don't really have a ranking right now per se, just guys that I like and then guys that I don't...

I think the tricky part is guessing what POR will do. I will say that ESPN\Givony has been a predictor of POR picks for a few years now, still way too early, but LY for example, they were pretty consistent on Clingan for POR, when other local media guys were insisting it would be Cody Williams (Marang).

I think the year before that they had Murray linked to POR? (Scoot was pretty much a foregone conclusion)

LY I liked Clingan, Buzelis & Saluan...I did not like Williams at all. I did not like Kelel Ware either, was concerned about his motor issues and that surely has not been an issue and he has looked pretty good. I was pretty happy with the Clingan pick, I think he is just a winning player. At the time when Knecht was falling, I was hoping that POR would try and get another pick, Knecht has been ok, but not sure that would have been worth it for POR, he can shoot it though, that has translated, and POR needs shooting IMO, but the defense? oof...

ESPN released a mock draft last night, I will post snippets after this, and they had Kasparas Jakucionis falling to POR, I would be happy with that pick, but as for players that I like (not sure how I would rank them right now):

I don't think Tre Johnson falls that far, Knueppel also looks more unlikely, but IF POR took Johnson or Knueppel I would be fine with that.

Johnson looks like an elite offensive player but maybe sort of an ISO black hole, great gravity but at the cost of team play, kind of like a bigger Simons offensively and probably a better defender.

I like Knueppel, I think he can fit into the current young lineup rather well, elite shooting, which is needed, good size, really does a lot of the little things. Probably not a go to guy & defense could have some issues. You look at guys like Christian Braun or some of his comps (Hayward\Sczerbiak\Kennard\Bane\Brogdon), good to rotation level players, I feel pretty comfortable he can develop into that. Here is the caveat, I am not sure that he fits the profile this front office typically desires.

but I don't think either of those guys will be there at POR pick. Same with Jakucionis, but it certainly looks like he is sliding a little.

Guys I like around POR range:
Jakucionis
Knueppel (if he was there)
Asa Newell - What is his floor? He reminds me of Lively, though Lively is taller and a little thicker, but the swing skill for him is his shooting but A 6'10+ guy that can shoot? valuable. I think he would fit nicely in the rotation alongside Deni\Camara\Clingan and if he can swing into center as a b\u against more mobile bigs that DC struggles with, that would be valuable for this team

Carter Bryant - He is probably 2 years away, but he has the size\athletic & defensive profile that is very appealing and if the offense comes along...
I think if he played more he would be a much higher pick (may end up there anyway), he passes the eye test and when you see\hear people talk about his cons, they all seem superficial to me? On ball creativity, inefficient, lack of physicality

Egor Demin - I'd probably say intrigued more than like. How much risk do you want to take with this guy though?

Nique Clifford - A little older, could contribute more right away I think? Like his size and the way he plays, what is his ceiling though?

Nolan Traore - I don't see POR taking him, but I really think he is being slept on

Guys I am not really a fan of:
Maluach\Queen
Don't see the need with Clingan\Ayton and there are good b\u bigs later in this draft if they wanted to prepare for life w\o Ayton\Williams

Fears\Richardson
I have PTSD on smallish guards, not saying that one of these guys couldn't turn out great, but I'd rather let some other team take that chance

Murray-Boyles\Fleming - I am not sure either players' college success will translate to the NBA. I'd rather see POR reach for a guy like Newell\Bryant or even Essengue over either of these players

Right now, if Jakucionis or Knueppel are there, I would hope POR goes that route, if both are gone. Newell\Bryant probably hold the most appeal, as both have real intriguing upside potential

[dckingsfan]

Why not move Simons to Orlando for pick 16, then flip 9/10 to Atlanta for picks 14 and 24?

Since everything falls from this... I think there is near to zero chance that Orlando goes for this trade, especially given their upcoming salary cliff.

I do like the thinking though. Pulling in 3 older rookies would be a good move for the Blazers and if they really hit on one...

[BlazersBroncos]

Why not move Simons to Orlando for pick 16, then flip 9/10 to Atlanta for picks 14 and 24?

Since everything falls from this... I think there is near to zero chance that Orlando goes for this trade, especially given their upcoming salary cliff.

I do like the thinking though. Pulling in 3 older rookies would be a good move for the Blazers and if they really hit on one...

The only hope would be ORL seeing moving off KCP as additional value (On top of Simons filling a scoring need of course). They might be OK with moving the higher, rather than lower, FRP if they can basically swap Simons for KCP.

Having KCP still on the roster makes resigning Simons pretty tough - as Simons expires next season and KCP has an extra year. But moving him in the deal alleviates alot of salary cap pressure.

[Walton1one]

ESPN mock dropped yesterday

Flagg - Harper - Bailey - Edgecombe
Seems pretty set from consensus of mocks right now

Johnson - Fears - Maluach - Knueppel
Seeing SA get Knueppel to pair with Wemby\Fox & Castle is nauseating.
They have Fears in the Top 10, I wonder if Richardson will end up Top 10 as well (one\both happening is good for POR IMO). They have Richardson #14, I have seen other mocks with the exact opposite.
I doubt Johnson falls to #9/10

#9\POR - Jakucionis

Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
Freshman | TS%: 59.8%

Jakucionis made a successful leap from Europe to Division I and boosted his perception as an NBA prospect. The Lithuanian guard showcased his playmaking savvy and admirably handled a huge role at Illinois. He faced challenging stretches during the season, struggling with efficiency and turnovers as defenses loaded up to stop him.

There's still plenty to like long term with his intangibles and ability to play both backcourt spots, keeping him in the lottery picture amid an intriguing group of guards. The Trail Blazers could benefit from adding his decision-making and unselfish style to their backcourt mix.

To me, having a guy, that can shoot, can play both guard spots & is an insurance on both other young guards and plays a connective brand of bball would seem like a good pick? I just have no idea what Cronin\Scmitz are prioritizing? Are they looking for another wing or a stretch 4 instead? So much depends on their current roster composition.

If we assume POR wants to get rid of Grant, they still have Deni\Camara at the forward spots, I guess drafting a young b\u could make sense? What is the plan with Simons though? If he is not part of the long term & Thybulle may be gone as well, then another b\u guard could make sense? I think a guard, preferably one who can shoot, would make the most sense & Jakucionis' ability to play PG or off ball (and his size) are all plusses, but my gut says Cronin\Scmitz would likely prefer another tall rangy forward

@ 10-11-12-13-14
Murray Boyles - Queen - Demin - McNeeley - Richardson

...hard to fault Murray-Boyles, given his consistent effort and production...draft stock held steady in the mid-first round, with a chance for him to wind up in the lottery depending on what teams prioritize. Though undersized (6-foot-8 and 245 pounds) for his position, Murray-Boyles' mix of offensive feel, defensive playmaking, physicality and toughness endears him to NBA teams that can picture him scaling down into a supporting role...strong fit with the Rockets, who could use another big to help do the dirty work.

HOU has rights to the PHX pick FYI

Queen exceeded expectations...established himself as the most offensively gifted big in this draft class, giving NBA teams a lot to think about with his ability to handle, pass, and create mismatches, along with his flashes of shooting potential. His motor on the defensive end and on the glass were often questionable, something Queen will have to answer for in the predraft process

Demin finished his college season playing confident and decisive basketball down the stretch...remains a polarizing evaluation and fit for NBA teams as an excellent passer with size who struggles to beat opponents one-on-one and is inconsistent shooting from long range.

McNeeley...strong feel and skill level were apparent during the team's ups and downs...will need to answer questions about his streaky shooting season, but his maturity and role versatility could be appealing

Richardson...pace, skill level, feel for the game and shotmaking prowess give him an outstanding framework at 19 years old, especially with his defensive intensity.

I'll post snippets on post lottery players later...