2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[dckingsfan]

The other idea they floated on Locked On Blazers was trading down for 2x FRPs

OKC: 15 & 24
ORL: 16 & 25
BRK: 19 & 26

If Essenge is off the board, I would totally do a trade down. Nets version would need to include more value (19+26+27)

If the FO sees three or four equivalent players where they are picking - this would be a really good move, IMO.

The trading partner has to be sold on a specific prospect they wouldn't get with their pick.

It could work out...

[zzaj]

The other idea they floated on Locked On Blazers was trading down for 2x FRPs

OKC: 15 & 24
ORL: 16 & 25
BRK: 19 & 26

If Essenge is off the board, I would totally do a trade down. Nets version would need to include more value (19+26+27)

If the FO sees three or four equivalent players where they are picking - this would be a really good move, IMO.

The trading partner has to be sold on a specific prospect they wouldn't get with their pick.

It could work out...

Only issue is that trading down almost never works out in favor of the team trading down. Although, I like the idea of 15/24 in theory. It would mean Banton and Walker gone...

[Walton1one]

There is a lot of helium on Coward right now, and as No Ceilings points out it is a little reminiscent of Sharpe, although Sharpe was a more well known commodity at that time.

I can't say that I am "all in" and riding the hype train yet though, he is a 4-year player, (turned 21? 22? ), so he has 2-3 years on several of the other top prospects: Kasparas (19), Essengue (18), Demin (19), Bryant (19). I am always a little leary on players who suddenly emerge and rise up the boards, LY I remember Saluan, who I liked for POR, and while he still may end up being a very good pro, clearly it is going to take some time.

It would have been nice to see Coward perform in the scrimmages, and while No Ceilings points out some games against better competition where he performed well, there is a little bit of worry for me that when thrown into the NBA, he won't look nearly dynamic as his play\measurements indicate, I have seen that happen before. The Ringer scout said it best " Can he connect the dots from tools to skills". I describe it as, can the mind keep up with the body

I don't think POR should take him at #11, but if they do, hope he works out.

Demin, whom I like, has been a well-known commodity for quite some time, Scmitz was scouting in 2021 at 16yrs old. However I fully agree that he is a risk as well, the shooting has to come around and the handle will be tested in the NBA, one thing he has going for him however is his bball IQ, passing and his size @ 6'9 he can player a myriad of ways, on\off ball, PG\SG\SF, these types of players even if they don't hit their ceiling, usually end up sticking around the NBA for quite awhile. Though I can't say I would prefer him above other players if they were there.

I still lean towards Jakucionis, he has the shooting, the passing (on\near level with Demin), good size, the ability to play on\off ball, and while he may not be an athletic marvel, his craftiness, ability to draw FT and efficiency at finishing at the rim really stands out, even if he doesn't hit his ceiling he would be a great 3rd guard off the bench versatile enough to play PG or SG. He provides Shooting, passing and position versatility in the backcourt, all things this POR team needs. If he is there he would be my #1

After that, it is a pick your project:

Demin - Hope the shooting comes around and will he ever develop enough to be on ball at the NBA level as a starter?
Bryant - Has the defense, does the 3pt% hold up with more attempts? Can he be anything more than a finisher?
Essengue - Can projection turn into enough reality to carve out a role in the NBA?
Coward - Do the tools translate when facing NBA talent\athleticism?

[zzaj]

There is a lot of helium on Coward right now, and as No Ceilings points out it is a little reminiscent of Sharpe, although Sharpe was a more well known commodity at that time.

I can't say that I am "all in" and riding the hype train yet though, he is a 4-year player, (turned 21? 22? ), so he has 2-3 years on several of the other top prospects: Kasparas (19), Essengue (18), Demin (19), Bryant (19). I am always a little leary on players who suddenly emerge and rise up the boards, LY I remember Saluan, who I liked for POR, and while he still may end up being a very good pro, clearly it is going to take some time.

It would have been nice to see Coward perform in the scrimmages, and while No Ceilings points out some games against better competition where he performed well, there is a little bit of worry for me that when thrown into the NBA, he won't look nearly dynamic as his play\measurements indicate, I have seen that happen before. The Ringer scout said it best " Can he connect the dots from tools to skills". I describe it as, can the mind keep up with the body

I don't think POR should take him at #11, but if they do, hope he works out.

Demin, whom I like, has been a well-known commodity for quite some time, Scmitz was scouting in 2021 at 16yrs old. However I fully agree that he is a risk as well, the shooting has to come around and the handle will be tested in the NBA, one thing he has going for him however is his bball IQ, passing and his size @ 6'9 he can player a myriad of ways, on\off ball, PG\SG\SF, these types of players even if they don't hit their ceiling, usually end up sticking around the NBA for quite awhile. Though I can't say I would prefer him above other players if they were there.

I still lean towards Jakucionis, he has the shooting, the passing (on\near level with Demin), good size, the ability to play on\off ball, and while he may not be an athletic marvel, his craftiness, ability to draw FT and efficiency at finishing at the rim really stands out, even if he doesn't hit his ceiling he would be a great 3rd guard off the bench versatile enough to play PG or SG. He provides Shooting, passing and position versatility in the backcourt, all things this POR team needs. If he is there he would be my #1

After that, it is a pick your project:

Demin - Hope the shooting comes around and will he ever develop enough to be on ball at the NBA level as a starter?
Bryant - Has the defense, does the 3pt% hold up with more attempts? Can he be anything more than a finisher?
Essengue - Can projection turn into enough reality to carve out a role in the NBA?
Coward - Do the tools translate when facing NBA talent\athleticism?

Not sure if you listened to it or not, but Rafael Barlowe did a great full episode interview with Coward on NBA Big Board.

No joke, it might have been the best pre-draft interview I've ever heard. Dude is COMPLETELY down to earth, likeable, obviously incredibly smart, and with a great head on his shoulders.

[Walton1one]

There is a lot of helium on Coward right now, and as No Ceilings points out it is a little reminiscent of Sharpe, although Sharpe was a more well known commodity at that time.

I can't say that I am "all in" and riding the hype train yet though, he is a 4-year player, (turned 21? 22? ), so he has 2-3 years on several of the other top prospects: Kasparas (19), Essengue (18), Demin (19), Bryant (19). I am always a little leary on players who suddenly emerge and rise up the boards, LY I remember Saluan, who I liked for POR, and while he still may end up being a very good pro, clearly it is going to take some time.

It would have been nice to see Coward perform in the scrimmages, and while No Ceilings points out some games against better competition where he performed well, there is a little bit of worry for me that when thrown into the NBA, he won't look nearly dynamic as his play\measurements indicate, I have seen that happen before. The Ringer scout said it best " Can he connect the dots from tools to skills". I describe it as, can the mind keep up with the body

I don't think POR should take him at #11, but if they do, hope he works out.

Demin, whom I like, has been a well-known commodity for quite some time, Scmitz was scouting in 2021 at 16yrs old. However I fully agree that he is a risk as well, the shooting has to come around and the handle will be tested in the NBA, one thing he has going for him however is his bball IQ, passing and his size @ 6'9 he can player a myriad of ways, on\off ball, PG\SG\SF, these types of players even if they don't hit their ceiling, usually end up sticking around the NBA for quite awhile. Though I can't say I would prefer him above other players if they were there.

I still lean towards Jakucionis, he has the shooting, the passing (on\near level with Demin), good size, the ability to play on\off ball, and while he may not be an athletic marvel, his craftiness, ability to draw FT and efficiency at finishing at the rim really stands out, even if he doesn't hit his ceiling he would be a great 3rd guard off the bench versatile enough to play PG or SG. He provides Shooting, passing and position versatility in the backcourt, all things this POR team needs. If he is there he would be my #1

After that, it is a pick your project:

Demin - Hope the shooting comes around and will he ever develop enough to be on ball at the NBA level as a starter?
Bryant - Has the defense, does the 3pt% hold up with more attempts? Can he be anything more than a finisher?
Essengue - Can projection turn into enough reality to carve out a role in the NBA?
Coward - Do the tools translate when facing NBA talent\athleticism?

Not sure if you listened to it or not, but Rafael Barlowe did a great full episode interview with Coward on NBA Big Board.

No joke, it might have been the best pre-draft interview I've ever heard. Dude is COMPLETELY down to earth, likeable, obviously incredibly smart, and with a great head on his shoulders.

Have not, will definitely give it a listen though, thanks for the heads up.

I am not concerned with Coward's personality, every scout report, even the most cynical have spoken well of him. My concern, and it could be unfounded is that 3 years ago he was playing Division 3, then 2 years at EWU and then we have a 6 game sample size @ WSU that most scouts are extrapolating a lot from.

I mean in those 6 games he beat up on Portland State, Bradley, Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington.

People ding Demin for his performance before they played their conference schedule, yet Coward seemingly gets a pass?

It would have been nice to see him play against some NCAA tourney level teams or in the combine. Even Demin, who struggled in conference play at times, looked good against some very good teams in the NCAA tourney, which was encouraging.

Again, I am not saying he could end up as a good\great NBA player, he certainly could, but I do think there is a reason to be skeptical.

BTW, common opponent, Idaho:
Coward (21) 4pts (1-3) 3 AST 4 REB, 5 BLK!!
Demin (19) 16pts (5-8) 7 AST 2 REB 3 BLK 3 STL

not that it means anything substantial, just an observation...

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Coward also had more >20 points games in his 6 game sample than Demin did all year. That said, I do agree his sample size is too small to be very sure about, especially if the shooting would hold up, but Duke recruiting him helps him seem more legit.

I personally find his history of starting lower rated and working his way up divisions to be a positive rather than a knock. Being able and willing to put in the work to improve yourself is a skill set that should help him translate to the next level. I usually see this criticism being based on athletic limitations but that isn't his issue, and if he can steadily increase his skills and production and competition then that is a trend I would bet on.

[oldfishermen]

There is a lot of helium on Coward right now, and as No Ceilings points out it is a little reminiscent of Sharpe, although Sharpe was a more well known commodity at that time.

I can't say that I am "all in" and riding the hype train yet though, he is a 4-year player, (turned 21? 22? ), so he has 2-3 years on several of the other top prospects: Kasparas (19), Essengue (18), Demin (19), Bryant (19). I am always a little leary on players who suddenly emerge and rise up the boards, LY I remember Saluan, who I liked for POR, and while he still may end up being a very good pro, clearly it is going to take some time.

It would have been nice to see Coward perform in the scrimmages, and while No Ceilings points out some games against better competition where he performed well, there is a little bit of worry for me that when thrown into the NBA, he won't look nearly dynamic as his play\measurements indicate, I have seen that happen before. The Ringer scout said it best " Can he connect the dots from tools to skills". I describe it as, can the mind keep up with the body

I don't think POR should take him at #11, but if they do, hope he works out.

Demin, whom I like, has been a well-known commodity for quite some time, Scmitz was scouting in 2021 at 16yrs old. However I fully agree that he is a risk as well, the shooting has to come around and the handle will be tested in the NBA, one thing he has going for him however is his bball IQ, passing and his size @ 6'9 he can player a myriad of ways, on\off ball, PG\SG\SF, these types of players even if they don't hit their ceiling, usually end up sticking around the NBA for quite awhile. Though I can't say I would prefer him above other players if they were there.

I still lean towards Jakucionis, he has the shooting, the passing (on\near level with Demin), good size, the ability to play on\off ball, and while he may not be an athletic marvel, his craftiness, ability to draw FT and efficiency at finishing at the rim really stands out, even if he doesn't hit his ceiling he would be a great 3rd guard off the bench versatile enough to play PG or SG. He provides Shooting, passing and position versatility in the backcourt, all things this POR team needs. If he is there he would be my #1

After that, it is a pick your project:

Demin - Hope the shooting comes around and will he ever develop enough to be on ball at the NBA level as a starter?
Bryant - Has the defense, does the 3pt% hold up with more attempts? Can he be anything more than a finisher?
Essengue - Can projection turn into enough reality to carve out a role in the NBA?
Coward - Do the tools translate when facing NBA talent\athleticism?

Not sure if you listened to it or not, but Rafael Barlowe did a great full episode interview with Coward on NBA Big Board.

No joke, it might have been the best pre-draft interview I've ever heard. Dude is COMPLETELY down to earth, likeable, obviously incredibly smart, and with a great head on his shoulders.

Have not, will definitely give it a listen though, thanks for the heads up.

I am not concerned with Coward's personality, every scout report, even the most cynical have spoken well of him. My concern, and it could be unfounded is that 3 years ago he was playing Division 3, then 2 years at EWU and then we have a 6 game sample size @ WSU that most scouts are extrapolating a lot from.

I mean in those 6 games he beat up on Portland State, Bradley, Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington.

People ding Demin for his performance before they played their conference schedule, yet Coward seemingly gets a pass?

It would have been nice to see him play against some NCAA tourney level teams or in the combine. Even Demin, who struggled in conference play at times, looked good against some very good teams in the NCAA tourney, which was encouraging.

Again, I am not saying he could end up as a good\great NBA player, he certainly could, but I do think there is a reason to be skeptical.

BTW, common opponent, Idaho:
Coward (21) 4pts (1-3) 3 AST 4 REB, 5 BLK!!
Demin (19) 16pts (5-8) 7 AST 2 REB 3 BLK 3 STL

not that it means anything substantial, just an observation...

Demin has talent, but his one weakness is consistency.
Coward also has talent, over 2+ seasons, his strength was consistency.

I believe a good indicator of how well a draft pick will adjust to the NBA, is how consistent his play was against a variety of competitors.

One of the Blazers main weaknesses is shooting
Demin (one season) vs Coward (2+ seasons)

FG% .412 vs .595
3P% .273 vs .388
FT% .695 vs .833

To be fair, Demin's FT% of .695 may be an indicator that he has the potential to become a better more consistent shooter. But he probably will not reach Cowards elite level.

I pick proven consistency over inconsistent potential.

Trying to fix errors, my eye sight is weak today.

[Dame Lizard]

There is a lot of helium on Coward right now, and as No Ceilings points out it is a little reminiscent of Sharpe, although Sharpe was a more well known commodity at that time.

I can't say that I am "all in" and riding the hype train yet though, he is a 4-year player, (turned 21? 22? ), so he has 2-3 years on several of the other top prospects: Kasparas (19), Essengue (18), Demin (19), Bryant (19). I am always a little leary on players who suddenly emerge and rise up the boards, LY I remember Saluan, who I liked for POR, and while he still may end up being a very good pro, clearly it is going to take some time.

It would have been nice to see Coward perform in the scrimmages, and while No Ceilings points out some games against better competition where he performed well, there is a little bit of worry for me that when thrown into the NBA, he won't look nearly dynamic as his play\measurements indicate, I have seen that happen before. The Ringer scout said it best " Can he connect the dots from tools to skills". I describe it as, can the mind keep up with the body

I don't think POR should take him at #11, but if they do, hope he works out.

Demin, whom I like, has been a well-known commodity for quite some time, Scmitz was scouting in 2021 at 16yrs old. However I fully agree that he is a risk as well, the shooting has to come around and the handle will be tested in the NBA, one thing he has going for him however is his bball IQ, passing and his size @ 6'9 he can player a myriad of ways, on\off ball, PG\SG\SF, these types of players even if they don't hit their ceiling, usually end up sticking around the NBA for quite awhile. Though I can't say I would prefer him above other players if they were there.

I still lean towards Jakucionis, he has the shooting, the passing (on\near level with Demin), good size, the ability to play on\off ball, and while he may not be an athletic marvel, his craftiness, ability to draw FT and efficiency at finishing at the rim really stands out, even if he doesn't hit his ceiling he would be a great 3rd guard off the bench versatile enough to play PG or SG. He provides Shooting, passing and position versatility in the backcourt, all things this POR team needs. If he is there he would be my #1

After that, it is a pick your project:

Demin - Hope the shooting comes around and will he ever develop enough to be on ball at the NBA level as a starter?
Bryant - Has the defense, does the 3pt% hold up with more attempts? Can he be anything more than a finisher?
Essengue - Can projection turn into enough reality to carve out a role in the NBA?
Coward - Do the tools translate when facing NBA talent\athleticism?

Not sure if you listened to it or not, but Rafael Barlowe did a great full episode interview with Coward on NBA Big Board.

No joke, it might have been the best pre-draft interview I've ever heard. Dude is COMPLETELY down to earth, likeable, obviously incredibly smart, and with a great head on his shoulders.

Have not, will definitely give it a listen though, thanks for the heads up.

I am not concerned with Coward's personality, every scout report, even the most cynical have spoken well of him. My concern, and it could be unfounded is that 3 years ago he was playing Division 3, then 2 years at EWU and then we have a 6 game sample size @ WSU that most scouts are extrapolating a lot from.

I mean in those 6 games he beat up on Portland State, Bradley, Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington.

People ding Demin for his performance before they played their conference schedule, yet Coward seemingly gets a pass?

It would have been nice to see him play against some NCAA tourney level teams or in the combine. Even Demin, who struggled in conference play at times, looked good against some very good teams in the NCAA tourney, which was encouraging.

Again, I am not saying he could end up as a good\great NBA player, he certainly could, but I do think there is a reason to be skeptical.

BTW, common opponent, Idaho:
Coward (21) 4pts (1-3) 3 AST 4 REB, 5 BLK!!
Demin (19) 16pts (5-8) 7 AST 2 REB 3 BLK 3 STL

not that it means anything substantial, just an observation...

Rather than using one game sample sizes, I'd rather look at the fact he shot 41% from the field, 27% from 3Pt and less than 70% from FT.

That to me implies a seriously flawed offensive player.

He also couldn't even grab 4 rebounds per game playing 27.5 minutes.

His height is impressive on paper, but what's it being used for?

I'm very limited with my knowledge of this year's draft. But from what I know, I'll be very disappointed if we walk away with Demin.

[Walton1one]

I’m not trying to use one game as a sample size, just showing both players against a common opponent, and I’m not trying to argue that Demin is a good shooter (from 3pt in particular) right now, because he is not.

Coward has shown to be a better shooter however, do we use just this years’ sample size with Demin or do we use his performance in Europe as well and add it all together to get a broader picture of what is shooting could be?

Previous:

In 23 Liga EBA (2023-24) games: 36.3 3P% (49/135), 78 FT% (32/41)

In 7 Spanish Championship (2023-24) games: 36.1 3P% (13/36), 100 FT% (12/12)

In 23 Liga EBA (2022-23) games: 36.3 3P% (49/135), 72.6 FT% (45/62)

In 7 Spanish Championship (2022-23) games: 23.1 3P% (9/39), 69.2 FT% (9/13)

In 4 ANGT Podgorica games: 22.7 3P% (5/22), 55.6 FT% (5/9)

In 4 ANGT Berlin games: 14.3 3P% (3/21), 81 FT% (17/21)

In 6 2021-22 games with the Community of Madrid team: 36.7 3P% (11/30), 73.3 FT% (11/14)

In 5 Russia U-16 games: 30.2 3P% (13/43), 66.7 FT% (4/6)

Putting all of this together puts Demin at 31.5 3P% (194/615) and 73.8 FT% (192/260) in my tracked numbers, which is nowhere near catastrophic. It’s fine to wonder how and when he’ll shoot, but he is not a non-shooter.

Personally, I would lean towards Jakucionis, who has the shooting, strong passing instincts & has displayed the ability to apply rim pressure, and Bryant is very intriguing as well, but clearly POR and other teams don’t find lack of shooting to be as detrimental as I would think they do and if that is the case then it is easy to see why a team might prefer Demin to a player like Essengue or even Coward who have more nuanced questions about how they will transition to the NBA

[oldfishermen]

I’m not trying to use one game as a sample size, just showing both players against a common opponent, and I’m not trying to argue that Demin is a good shooter (from 3pt in particular) right now, because he is not.

Coward has shown to be a better shooter however, do we use just this years’ sample size with Demin or do we use his performance in Europe as well and add it all together to get a broader picture of what is shooting could be?

Previous:

In 23 Liga EBA (2023-24) games: 36.3 3P% (49/135), 78 FT% (32/41)

In 7 Spanish Championship (2023-24) games: 36.1 3P% (13/36), 100 FT% (12/12)

In 23 Liga EBA (2022-23) games: 36.3 3P% (49/135), 72.6 FT% (45/62)

In 7 Spanish Championship (2022-23) games: 23.1 3P% (9/39), 69.2 FT% (9/13)

In 4 ANGT Podgorica games: 22.7 3P% (5/22), 55.6 FT% (5/9)

In 4 ANGT Berlin games: 14.3 3P% (3/21), 81 FT% (17/21)

In 6 2021-22 games with the Community of Madrid team: 36.7 3P% (11/30), 73.3 FT% (11/14)

In 5 Russia U-16 games: 30.2 3P% (13/43), 66.7 FT% (4/6)

Putting all of this together puts Demin at 31.5 3P% (194/615) and 73.8 FT% (192/260) in my tracked numbers, which is nowhere near catastrophic. It’s fine to wonder how and when he’ll shoot, but he is not a non-shooter.

Personally, I would lean towards Jakucionis, who has the shooting, strong passing instincts & has displayed the ability to apply rim pressure, and Bryant is very intriguing as well, but clearly POR and other teams don’t find lack of shooting to be as detrimental as I would think they do and if that is the case then it is easy to see why a team might prefer Demin to a player like Essengue or even Coward who have more nuanced questions about how they will transition to the NBA

There is a report that Demin had a long interview with Portland, at the combine. As well as interviews with 13 other teams, some picking before Portland.

After a good combine showing, it appears Demin is moving up in mock drafts. He showed off improved shooting skills.

[Norm2953]

I'd like the Blazers to pick a guy who is great fit with Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe who has some size, length,
who can handle the ball, defend more than one position and can shoot.

Is there a guy at 11 who is the best fit for the guy I want the Blazers to draft? If not, is there a realistic trade up for
Portland to go get that guy?

[oldfishermen]

I’m not trying to use one game as a sample size, just showing both players against a common opponent, and I’m not trying to argue that Demin is a good shooter (from 3pt in particular) right now, because he is not.

Coward has shown to be a better shooter however, do we use just this years’ sample size with Demin or do we use his performance in Europe as well and add it all together to get a broader picture of what is shooting could be?

Previous:

In 23 Liga EBA (2023-24) games: 36.3 3P% (49/135), 78 FT% (32/41)

In 7 Spanish Championship (2023-24) games: 36.1 3P% (13/36), 100 FT% (12/12)

In 23 Liga EBA (2022-23) games: 36.3 3P% (49/135), 72.6 FT% (45/62)

In 7 Spanish Championship (2022-23) games: 23.1 3P% (9/39), 69.2 FT% (9/13)

In 4 ANGT Podgorica games: 22.7 3P% (5/22), 55.6 FT% (5/9)

In 4 ANGT Berlin games: 14.3 3P% (3/21), 81 FT% (17/21)

In 6 2021-22 games with the Community of Madrid team: 36.7 3P% (11/30), 73.3 FT% (11/14)

In 5 Russia U-16 games: 30.2 3P% (13/43), 66.7 FT% (4/6)

Putting all of this together puts Demin at 31.5 3P% (194/615) and 73.8 FT% (192/260) in my tracked numbers, which is nowhere near catastrophic. It’s fine to wonder how and when he’ll shoot, but he is not a non-shooter.

Personally, I would lean towards Jakucionis, who has the shooting, strong passing instincts & has displayed the ability to apply rim pressure, and Bryant is very intriguing as well, but clearly POR and other teams don’t find lack of shooting to be as detrimental as I would think they do and if that is the case then it is easy to see why a team might prefer Demin to a player like Essengue or even Coward who have more nuanced questions about how they will transition to the NBA

If I have anything wrong, feel free to correct me.

Ref: the Demin euro stats in your post.

It is my understanding he played in the junior league (or what ever they call it). Demin was called up to play in the pro league, but decided to play for BYU instead.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I'd like the Blazers to pick a guy who is great fit with Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe who has some size, length,
who can handle the ball, defend more than one position and can shoot.

Is there a guy at 11 who is the best fit for the guy I want the Blazers to draft? If not, is there a realistic trade up for
Portland to go get that guy?

That basically describes my main targets right now, Bryant/Essengue/Coward. All have good size and can defend multiple positions.

Bryant has the best defense and shooting numbers, but was a low-production player coming off the bench behind older players. He seemed to make quick smart decisions with the ball and be functional enough with the ball in his hand how much he can expand his game is the question to answer for him.

Essengue has the best length, has a nice all-around game, can do a bit of everything. He doesn't have a standout skill but no big weaknesses either, played a good role for a pretty decent team.

Coward has the most offensive ability, able to put up some big games, but has had to do a lot of development to get where he is today so is older and coming off injury.

[Norm2953]

Nothing wrong with taking Bryant, especially if he develops into another Camara.

Very likely the workouts will help decide who Portland takes amongst a group of players at 11.

[zzaj]

I’ve said it elsewhere, but at some point the Blazers are going to have to start addressing offense. You can’t just have 3 Camara types on the team and expect to win on offense generated from turnovers.

Now CLEARLY, Chauncey likes switchability on defense, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Blazers ended up going that way. We only have to look at Kris Murray…dude has literally one NBA skill and sucks at everything else—switchability on defense—and he was a rotation player under Chauncey.

The goal (as I see it) is to get both Offense and Defense in the Top 10. The Blazers made strides defensively as a team last year. The offense is going to be harder, especially under a non-offense coach in Billups.

As the team stands now designing a fluid offense around the following strange, ill -fitting mishmash of players ain’t going to be easy.

Ayton: Midrange player and can’t create his own shot. Weak in PnR.

Deni: Elite at downhill play and getting to the FT line, which isn’t always super conducive to team offense.

Camara: 3pt shooting and straightline attacks off of closeouts.

Sharpe: Inconsistent scorer that finishes well at the rim but has very questionable shot selection from 3pt, “floats” when the ball isn’t in his hands.

Simons: Microwave scorer that doesn’t get to the FT line, not capable of running an offense full-time, and is a liability on defense if his offense isn’t humming.

Scoot: Still learning how to run a team, learn his spots, and how to gain offensive advantages against NBA level defenses. Very inconsistent.

Clingan: At this point can’t make shots other than wide-open, put back, 2H dunks and layups. Decent screener, but needs to learn how to time his rolls and be more physical.

[tester551]

I'd like the Blazers to pick a guy who is great fit with Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe who has some size, length,
who can handle the ball, defend more than one position and can shoot.

Is there a guy at 11 who is the best fit for the guy I want the Blazers to draft? If not, is there a realistic trade up for
Portland to go get that guy?

That basically describes my main targets right now, Bryant/Essengue/Coward. All have good size and can defend multiple positions.

Bryant has the best defense and shooting numbers, but was a low-production player coming off the bench behind older players. He seemed to make quick smart decisions with the ball and be functional enough with the ball in his hand how much he can expand his game is the question to answer for him.

Essengue has the best length, has a nice all-around game, can do a bit of everything. He doesn't have a standout skill but no big weaknesses either, played a good role for a pretty decent team.

Coward has the most offensive ability, able to put up some big games, but has had to do a lot of development to get where he is today so is older and coming off injury.

Noa is my first target.
My dream scenario would be Ant trade for 16 & then swap 16 for 19/27 with Nets.
Get Coward at 19 & Yang at 27

[BlazersBroncos]

I am still 1000% in on Noa. I think he is a top-5 prospect and will be long gone by our FRP but I REALLY hope he isnt.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I need to watch Noa Essengue, Carter Bryant, and Cedric Coward. These three names seem likely to be in the mix, given the volume of mentions here and in the greater draftosphere. Also drawing my attention are Will Riley, Nolan Traore, and Yaxel Lendeborg, but I've not formed opinions yet.

Most of the guys I've been watching lately haven't merited deep dives or detailed posts (just IMO!): Murray-Boyles, Fleming, Queen, Demin... I don't see an effective NBA player in that mix.

The chatter around this draft has been interesting: from a couple years back it was "ZOMG THE FLAGG-BAILEY-HARPER DRAFT" ... which gave way during the past college season to most folks thinking that's a pretty ordinary top three, followed by not a whole lot else ... now most are talking up the depth of this draft beyond some overhyped likely lottery swings. I'm not sold on this latest trend. I think we get excited about a larger pool of prospects in nearly every draft (a couple years are exceptions, when everybody thinks the draft will suck), but not all years are equal. I just haven't seen enough to like in most of the guys who are rising up draft boards these days. I do need to study harder, but as I've discussed here, my instincts to dismiss a prospect generally serve me well. I am more likely to overrate a prospect who will do nothing in the league than I am to undersell a future star. So, it is in that light that I share my general opinion, so far, that this draft is gathering more steam than I believe it merits. I just don't think I'm missing a bunch of studly prospects here. I did name six above whom I have not ruled out yet, but we'll see...

[BlazersBroncos]

Most of the guys I've been watching lately haven't merited deep dives or detailed posts (just IMO!): Murray-Boyles, Fleming, Queen, Demin... I don't see an effective NBA player in that mix.

I am close to being with you here.

CMB and Queen are not on my board - for the Blazers at least. I see CMB as a late R1 / early R2 swing who might be a nice hustle player (In RHJ / Vandy mold). Queen is a C who doesnt shoot the 3, doesnt protect the rim and has a physical archetype that just hasnt worked in the modern NBA really. I REALLY dislike both as prospects. I see Rhondae-Hollis Jefferson and Jarred Sullinger.

I think Fleming is more of a Jalen Smith than some super long SF. He has the metrics and measurables but on the floor he is very stiff and really doesnt have a great feel for the game. I see a small ball C who can space the floor but is never going to amount to the sum of his parts. I think he can be a rotation player like Jalen Smith but dont see a starter due to his really slow processing and meh feel.

Demin is getting these comps to Giddey but Josh is pretty phenominal at creating room for himself using his large frame, start/stop motions and just little things to get his man off balance. I see none of this in Demin. I can see a guy like Marko Jaric - nice tall secondary PG who is passable on defense and has big swings in terms of shooting year over year (IE 37% 3PT on season, 30% the next). I would take him late teens if we got a second pick because I like the idea of running a huge team but I dont see much chance he is a upper tier starter - and think he is a considerably worse prospect than Giddey.

Noa to me has Shawn Marion potential. Elite at cutting, monster in the open court, passable J (I actually really like his form - reminds me of Batum). I see alot of Jim Jackson in Coward. Well built, able to play SG or SF, above average at basically everything across the board.

I think turning Simons into a second FRP and finding a way to get Noa and Coward would be incredible - but think end of the day Noa is gone before we pick at 11 - and likely Coward is gone before any reasonable FRP we could get for Simons is up.

[oldfishermen]

Not sure how accurate this player comparison is? but....

Cedric Coward reminds me of Wes Mathews.