2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[Case2012]

Spoiler:

Check out how Coward scores in this game. 3 level scorer.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=LeagueHim
His improvement areas are creation but he knows the places to be, he fights for spots and recognizes the right play. He's always moving trying to position himself for a rebound, a slash, an open 3 etc. He scored 75% of his last 150 shots at the rim and then look at the shooting... Have you ever seen Shaedon score like this? Back someone down and bully them? He's got alpha scorer written all over him.

I still don't get the love for Bryant, it's Zach Collins all over again from the wing imo. You draft him and hope and dream he becomes as good as Clifford or Coward.

Clifford & Coward are as much or bigger risks than Bryant will be. Bryant is also a little bigger than both of them and has a clear skill (defense) that he can hang his hat on.

Clifford has a nice college resume, good positional size and bball IQ, but ultimately his shot is his swing skill to determine if he is a starter\bench quality player, he is nearly 4 years older than Bryant

Coward has great athletic measurements, limited data on good stats (especially vs good competition) and is quite literally a wildcard, looks the part, but can he play the part against NBA level talent? Also, 3 years older than Bryant

Bryant: H 6'6.5 - WS 6'11.75 - SR - 8'10 - #214.8 - AGE 19 (turns 20 in Nov)
Clifford: H 6'5.25 - WS 6'8 - SR - 8'6.5 - #202 - AGE 23 (turns 24 in Feb)
Coward: H 6'5.25 - WS 7'2.25 - SR - 8'10 - #213 - AGE 21 (turns 22 in Sept)

Cedric Coward vs. Carter Bryant

Age on draft night
22 yrs 2 mos
19 yrs 7 mos

Frame
6-6, 7-2 wingspan, 38.5″ vert
6-8, est. 7-1 wingspan ?

2024-25 per-game
17.7 pts, 7.0 reb, 3.7 ast, 55.7 FG%
6.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.0 ast, 46 FG%

Three-point %
40.0 (on 5.1 att)
31.8* (low volume)

True-Shooting %
69.8
54.1*

Rebound %
13.9 TRB%
9.8 TRB%

Steal rate
3.2 STL/40
1.3 STL/40

Block rate
3.4 BLK/40
1.1 BLK/40

Assist %
22.4 AST%
8.3 AST%

Turnover %
12.1 TOV%
10.8 TOV%

BPM / EFF
+8.8 BPM, 97th-pct overall PPP (Synergy)
+1.2 BPM*, 54th-pct PPP*

Stocks (Stl+Blk)
1.8 stl + 1.7 blk = 3.5
0.7 stl + 0.4 blk = 1.1*

Crunch everything—counting, advanced, Synergy—and Coward’s résumé lights up like a Christmas tree. He logged a +8.8 box-plus-minus (97th percentile nationally) while scoring in the 97th-percentile for overall points-per-possession, the 95th for catch-and-shoots and the 99th for cuts. His efficiency was absurd: 69.8 true-shooting and 40 % from three on 5+ attempts a game, good for the 96th percentile in spot-up eFG. Add a 22.4 assist rate (top 90th), a 13.9 rebound rate (85th), and a defensive play-making binge of 6.6 “stocks” per-40—3.2 steals and 3.4 blocks, both above the 90th percentile for wings.

Carter Bryant’s freshman line just can’t keep pace: +1.2 BPM, 54.1 TS, 31.8 % from deep on half the volume, an 8.3 assist rate, 9.8 rebound rate, and only 1.3 steals plus 1.1 blocks per-40, all hovering in the 40-55th percentiles. Same seven-foot reach, but Coward is already an elite-efficiency scorer, secondary creator, and high-impact defender, while Bryant is still a projection whose numbers haven’t hinted at star traits yet. His hype is all theoretical at this point.

Bryant might pop in three years, but Coward is helping you in November while still offering real star equity. If the debate is “one clear skill,” Coward actually brings two elite ones—efficient shooting and disruptive defense—plus the processing speed that ties a lineup together from day one. I don't see him as a wild card, I see a clear path of progression each step of the way with numbers that back it up.

Of course the sheer fact that I am obsessed with him means he probably ends up in OKC because Presti is a lot better at drafting and GMing in general than Joe and Mike.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I just can't see trading away Scoot & Sharpe yet, both are really young (21 & 22), both were high\pretty high lottery picks, these are the kinds of deals that end up kicking you in the teeth b\c chances are they will not be the same player at 24/25 that they are now, and more than likely they will both be better, maybe much better.

Do you think WAS regrets dealing Avdija right now? Maybe not, but I sure would if I were them, or at least not getting more for him. Avdiaj turned 24 LY and started to ascend the year before that (age 23) with WAS that is 1 year & 2 years before Sharpe\Scoot hit that age.


They trade away a guy like Simons (age 26) chances are you are not going to regret it, he is what he is at this point, the chances of him suddenly becoming more than he is right now are slim.

Not to mention the whole tried to build around Dame but took Sharpe then Scoot (at the same position!) then had to trade Dame away narrative looks pretty ridiculous. Unless they are what, building around Simons? lol, good luck with that..

Cronin can lie with the best of them, but love to see him spin that scenario, not to mention what the next owner thinks (especially if Scoot blows up and POR stagnates, both very likely IMO).

Yeah, I know it's a dumb exercise. Just some idle thoughts.

All exercises are good

Who knows, they could totally trade away Scoot and POR may\not relive the Jermaine O'Neal for Dale Davis experiment except in this case it won't be trading away a young guy to make it further in the playoffs, it will be trading away a young guy to hopefully make the playin\playoffs, which is....yeah...much worse

This is, of course, true: the risk of it backfiring is far too great to even entertain from a conventional GM POV. The thing is, we get to have more fantastical ideas that don't wed us to the ordinary course of action. In reality, inking our young guards to massive extensions is just normal business. Here we can ask whether that's likely to yield better results than shipping them off, and our jobs aren't at risk from bold thinking.

[tester551]

Crunch everything—counting, advanced, Synergy—and Coward’s résumé lights up like a Christmas tree. He logged a +8.8 box-plus-minus (97th percentile nationally) while scoring in the 97th-percentile for overall points-per-possession, the 95th for catch-and-shoots and the 99th for cuts.

On 6-games... Against absolute garbage teams.

Use his JR season from Eastern Washington & then see how it compares.

[Case2012]

Crunch everything—counting, advanced, Synergy—and Coward’s résumé lights up like a Christmas tree. He logged a +8.8 box-plus-minus (97th percentile nationally) while scoring in the 97th-percentile for overall points-per-possession, the 95th for catch-and-shoots and the 99th for cuts.

On 6-games... Against absolute garbage teams.

Use his JR season from Eastern Washington & then see how it compares.

Including his JR season he shot 75% at the rim. He's shot 40% for his career from 3. He's always been insanely efficient.

Coward’s junior-year profile (2023-24 at Eastern Washington)

Role & minutes – 32 starts, 30.5 mpg, 22 percent usage
Scoring efficiency – 131.3 offensive rating, 56.5 FG%, 38.3 3-pt (4.2 att/g), 89.5 FT%; estimated 65 TS% and 61 eFG%
Box-score production – 15.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.0 stl, 0.9 blk per game
Tempo-free/40 – 20.3 pts, 8.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.3 stl, 1.1 blk
Play-making & turnover – 20.6 AST% vs. 17.2 TOV% (solid secondary-creator ratio)
Rebounding – 11.0 ORB% / 20.6 DRB% (both top-quartile for wings)
Impact metrics – +6.2 BPM (Big Sky leader among perimeter players); +3.5 offensive BPM, +2.7 defensive BPM; ­0.290 win shares per 40.

In short: even before the six-game, +8.8 BPM explosion at Washington State, Coward was already an ultra-efficient, two-way stat stuffer: 65 TS, 38 percent from three, double-digit rebound rates, positive play-making and a top-1-percent offensive rating for wings. That junior season tells you the senior-year sample wasn’t a fluke. I posted tons of footage, go check it out, he passes the eye test too.

The 2 hour video i shared is from 23/24 and it is a delightful watch. I specifically enjoy his post game, he plays very physical and uses a lot of advanced foot work to get his shot and then just shoots it over his opponent with his elite length. You don't see a lot of wings play that way now and I appreciate the old school bully ball style.

No offers out of HS, D-III , Big Sky star, Pac-12 breakout combine darling. Each step Coward mastered the level above him—very Lillard-esque. That pattern of rapid adaptation matters when you’re projecting a role player into a bigger NBA workload.

Last time we drafted a guy from the Big Sky conference he worked out pretty well!!

[dckingsfan]

Crunch everything—counting, advanced, Synergy—and Coward’s résumé lights up like a Christmas tree. He logged a +8.8 box-plus-minus (97th percentile nationally) while scoring in the 97th-percentile for overall points-per-possession, the 95th for catch-and-shoots and the 99th for cuts.

On 6-games... Against absolute garbage teams.

Use his JR season from Eastern Washington & then see how it compares.

Including his JR season he shot 75% at the rim. He's shot 40% for his career from 3. He's always been insanely efficient.

Coward’s junior-year profile (2023-24 at Eastern Washington)

Role & minutes – 32 starts, 30.5 mpg, 22 percent usage
Scoring efficiency – 131.3 offensive rating, 56.5 FG%, 38.3 3-pt (4.2 att/g), 89.5 FT%; estimated 65 TS% and 61 eFG%
Box-score production – 15.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.0 stl, 0.9 blk per game
Tempo-free/40 – 20.3 pts, 8.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.3 stl, 1.1 blk
Play-making & turnover – 20.6 AST% vs. 17.2 TOV% (solid secondary-creator ratio)
Rebounding – 11.0 ORB% / 20.6 DRB% (both top-quartile for wings)
Impact metrics – +6.2 BPM (Big Sky leader among perimeter players); +3.5 offensive BPM, +2.7 defensive BPM; ­0.290 win shares per 40.

In short: even before the six-game, +8.8 BPM explosion at Washington State, Coward was already an ultra-efficient, two-way stat stuffer: 65 TS, 38 percent from three, double-digit rebound rates, positive play-making and a top-1-percent offensive rating for wings. That junior season tells you the senior-year sample wasn’t a fluke. I posted tons of footage, go check it out, he passes the eye test too.

No offers out of HS, D-III , Big Sky star, Pac-12 breakout combine darling. Each step Coward mastered the level above him—very Lillard-esque. That pattern of rapid adaptation matters when you’re projecting a role player into a bigger NBA workload.

Last time we drafted a guy from the Big Sky conference he worked out pretty well!!

Yeah, I like Coward as well. My guess is that he goes 15 or 16, so if he is your guy - I think it is worthwhile trading down.

One good thing about Coward and the Blazers is that he is NBA ready right now (IMO) and fits the mold of this team. He would be a really good defender at SG and shoots the cover off the ball. On this team he wouldn't have to be the first or second option and he wouldn't have to start out of the gate to contribute.

My 1/2 cent.

[tester551]

Crunch everything—counting, advanced, Synergy—and Coward’s résumé lights up like a Christmas tree. He logged a +8.8 box-plus-minus (97th percentile nationally) while scoring in the 97th-percentile for overall points-per-possession, the 95th for catch-and-shoots and the 99th for cuts.

On 6-games... Against absolute garbage teams.

Use his JR season from Eastern Washington & then see how it compares.

Including his JR season he shot 75% at the rim. He's shot 40% for his career from 3. He's always been insanely efficient.

Coward’s junior-year profile (2023-24 at Eastern Washington)

Role & minutes – 32 starts, 30.5 mpg, 22 percent usage
Scoring efficiency – 131.3 offensive rating, 56.5 FG%, 38.3 3-pt (4.2 att/g), 89.5 FT%; estimated 65 TS% and 61 eFG%
Box-score production – 15.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.0 stl, 0.9 blk per game
Tempo-free/40 – 20.3 pts, 8.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.3 stl, 1.1 blk
Play-making & turnover – 20.6 AST% vs. 17.2 TOV% (solid secondary-creator ratio)
Rebounding – 11.0 ORB% / 20.6 DRB% (both top-quartile for wings)
Impact metrics – +6.2 BPM (Big Sky leader among perimeter players); +3.5 offensive BPM, +2.7 defensive BPM; ­0.290 win shares per 40.

In short: even before the six-game, +8.8 BPM explosion at Washington State, Coward was already an ultra-efficient, two-way stat stuffer: 65 TS, 38 percent from three, double-digit rebound rates, positive play-making and a top-1-percent offensive rating for wings. That junior season tells you the senior-year sample wasn’t a fluke. I posted tons of footage, go check it out, he passes the eye test too.

No offers out of HS, D-III , Big Sky star, Pac-12 breakout combine darling. Each step Coward mastered the level above him—very Lillard-esque. That pattern of rapid adaptation matters when you’re projecting a role player into a bigger NBA workload.

Last time we drafted a guy from the Big Sky conference he worked out pretty well!!

Where are you getting these numbers from?
Doesn't match what I see at Sports-Reference.com
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/cedric-coward-1.html#all_players_advanced

For example (23-24 EWU season):
AST%: 10.9 (my source) vs 20.6 (your source)
ORG: 120.7 vs 131.3
BPM: 2.8 vs 6.2
WS/40: 0.165 vs 0.290

There is a large enough discrepancy here (especially in several of the metrics I like to use), to question the source.

Yeah -> if your numbers are correct, then sign me up. Based on my watching his game tape, it feels like my numbers are more likely.

He's a GOOD prospect (but not GREAT). I would love to draft him at 16+... but he does not have the high-end potential. I think taking him at 11 is problematic.

[dckingsfan]

On 6-games... Against absolute garbage teams.

Use his JR season from Eastern Washington & then see how it compares.

Including his JR season he shot 75% at the rim. He's shot 40% for his career from 3. He's always been insanely efficient.

Coward’s junior-year profile (2023-24 at Eastern Washington)

Role & minutes – 32 starts, 30.5 mpg, 22 percent usage
Scoring efficiency – 131.3 offensive rating, 56.5 FG%, 38.3 3-pt (4.2 att/g), 89.5 FT%; estimated 65 TS% and 61 eFG%
Box-score production – 15.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.0 stl, 0.9 blk per game
Tempo-free/40 – 20.3 pts, 8.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.3 stl, 1.1 blk
Play-making & turnover – 20.6 AST% vs. 17.2 TOV% (solid secondary-creator ratio)
Rebounding – 11.0 ORB% / 20.6 DRB% (both top-quartile for wings)
Impact metrics – +6.2 BPM (Big Sky leader among perimeter players); +3.5 offensive BPM, +2.7 defensive BPM; ­0.290 win shares per 40.

In short: even before the six-game, +8.8 BPM explosion at Washington State, Coward was already an ultra-efficient, two-way stat stuffer: 65 TS, 38 percent from three, double-digit rebound rates, positive play-making and a top-1-percent offensive rating for wings. That junior season tells you the senior-year sample wasn’t a fluke. I posted tons of footage, go check it out, he passes the eye test too.

No offers out of HS, D-III , Big Sky star, Pac-12 breakout combine darling. Each step Coward mastered the level above him—very Lillard-esque. That pattern of rapid adaptation matters when you’re projecting a role player into a bigger NBA workload.

Last time we drafted a guy from the Big Sky conference he worked out pretty well!!

Where are you getting these numbers from?
Doesn't match what I see at Sports-Reference.com
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/cedric-coward-1.html#all_players_advanced

For example (23-24 EWU season):
AST%: 10.9 (my source) vs 20.6 (your source)
ORG: 120.7 vs 131.3
BPM: 2.8 vs 6.2
WS/40: 0.165 vs 0.290

There is a large enough discrepancy here (especially in several of the metrics I like to use), to question the source.

Yeah -> if your numbers are correct, then sign me up. Based on my watching his game tape, it feels like my numbers are more likely.

He's a GOOD prospect (but not GREAT). I would love to draft him at 16+... but he does not have the high-end potential. I think taking him at 11 is problematic.

Here are the numbers I am seeing:

https://www.tankathon.com/players/cedric-coward

[Walton1one]

The level of competition matters, the fact that Bryant played on a team of high usage vets as a freshman matters, the fact that Bryant was a top 20 recruit is relevant

I am not saying that Coward could not be that older diamond in the rough (Dame) but that scenario is more the exception than the rule, and Bryant being 3 years younger, does matter in terms of runway for development

Also, the level of competition concerns cannot be overstated, he has been playing against subpar players & then 6 games vs some weaker teams at WSU & everyone seems to be extrapolating from that, as if those stats would be similar if he played in the SEC or ACC.

What would he be like playing at Duke? We won’t know because he’s not going there. Instead he turned pro, now he could end up being great, he could also end up really struggling, and we’re not even talking about Duke. We are talking about going up against NBA level players

He has some tantalizing measurables & intriguing stats but banking on his shooting vs subpar teams\limited major conference exposure translating at an NBA level is a real risk

Now a lot of draft analysts and scouts really like him, and he is definitely moving up the boards to around the back third of the lottery, so I am really curious to see where he goes, but IMO he is a taking a swing pick, like Essengue, where they both have the requisite tools but nothing definitive that you can bank on that will translate at the NBA level

Bryant - defense

Demin - passing, floor mapping\vision, I would also add the positional versatility is highly valued, particularly since he will play at 6’9 - 6’10

Jakucionis - passing, shooting (pre injury he was lights out) & positional versatility

Those would be the 3 players that POR should target IMO. After that take the swing (Essengue\Coward\Newell\Riley)

[Butter]

The level of competition matters, the fact that Bryant played on a team of high usage vets as a freshman matters, the fact that Bryant was a top 20 recruit is relevant

I am not saying that Coward could not be that older diamond in the rough (Dame) but that scenario is more the exception than the rule, and Bryant being 3 years younger, does matter in terms of runway for development

Also, the level of competition concerns cannot be overstated, he has been playing against subpar players & then 6 games vs some weaker teams at WSU & everyone seems to be extrapolating from that, as if those stats would be similar if he played in the SEC or ACC.

What would he be like playing at Duke? We won’t know because he’s not going there. Instead he turned pro, now he could end up being great, he could also end up really struggling, and we’re not even talking about Duke. We are talking about going up against NBA level players

He has some tantalizing measurables & intriguing stats but banking on his shooting vs subpar teams\limited major conference exposure translating at an NBA level is a real risk

Now a lot of draft analysts and scouts really like him, and he is definitely moving up the boards to around the back third of the lottery, so I am really curious to see where he goes, but IMO he is a taking a swing pick, like Essengue, where they both have the requisite tools but nothing definitive that you can bank on that will translate at the NBA level

Bryant - defense

Demin - passing, floor mapping\vision, I would also add the positional versatility is highly valued, particularly since he will play at 6’9 - 6’10

Jakucionis - passing, shooting (pre injury he was lights out) & positional versatility

Those would be the 3 players that POR should target IMO. After that take the swing (Essengue\Coward\Newell\Riley)

I didn't list Bryant in my wish list the other day because I was assuming he'll be gone, but if he's there, he's a solid option.

[Case2012]

The level of competition matters, the fact that Bryant played on a team of high usage vets as a freshman matters, the fact that Bryant was a top 20 recruit is relevant

I am not saying that Coward could not be that older diamond in the rough (Dame) but that scenario is more the exception than the rule, and Bryant being 3 years younger, does matter in terms of runway for development

Also, the level of competition concerns cannot be overstated, he has been playing against subpar players & then 6 games vs some weaker teams at WSU & everyone seems to be extrapolating from that, as if those stats would be similar if he played in the SEC or ACC.

What would he be like playing at Duke? We won’t know because he’s not going there. Instead he turned pro, now he could end up being great, he could also end up really struggling, and we’re not even talking about Duke. We are talking about going up against NBA level players

He has some tantalizing measurables & intriguing stats but banking on his shooting vs subpar teams\limited major conference exposure translating at an NBA level is a real risk

Now a lot of draft analysts and scouts really like him, and he is definitely moving up the boards to around the back third of the lottery, so I am really curious to see where he goes, but IMO he is a taking a swing pick, like Essengue, where they both have the requisite tools but nothing definitive that you can bank on that will translate at the NBA level

Bryant - defense

Demin - passing, floor mapping\vision, I would also add the positional versatility is highly valued, particularly since he will play at 6’9 - 6’10

Jakucionis - passing, shooting (pre injury he was lights out) & positional versatility

Those would be the 3 players that POR should target IMO. After that take the swing (Essengue\Coward\Newell\Riley)

Respectfully, most of this pushback ignores context and real data. Let’s clear a few things up.

Cedric Coward’s 2023–24 junior season at Eastern Washington (Big Sky):

Metric Value
PER 22.2
TS% .677
3PAr .410
FTr .265
ORB% 6.6
DRB% 19.5
TRB% 13.5
AST% 10.9
STL% 1.8
BLK% 3.5
TOV% 16.3
USG% 22.7
WS/40 .165
Off BPM +3.4
Def BPM -0.6
BPM +2.8

(Everything above is verbatim from the highlighted Sports-Reference rows.)

Quick contrast

Efficiency: Coward .677 TS vs. Bryant .593 TS

Rebounding advantage: Coward DRB% 19.5 to Bryant 17.8

Play-making: Coward AST% 10.9 vs. Bryant 5.8

Overall impact: Coward PER 22.2; Bryant 16.6

Bryant’s defensive block percentage is impressive (5.8%), but across the board Coward delivers more production and efficiency in a primary role.

The claim that Bryant is "the only one with a clear skill" is not supported by any data. Coward, on the other hand, led his team in nearly every advanced category, graded in the 90th+ percentile in catch-and-shoot, cuts, and transition, and was top 10 nationally in multiple categories among wings.

Yes, Coward is older. Yes, Bryant was a top recruit. But this idea that being younger automatically makes you better long-term is lazy draft logic. NBA history is filled with older rookies who were ready to contribute while younger “tools” picks flamed out. Coward produced at a high level, improved every year, and dominated his role. Bryant hasn't shown he can do any of that yet.

Coward’s production, efficiency, and versatility are not theoretical—they're proven. Bryant’s upside is real, especially defensively, but saying Coward has “no bankable skill” is just false. Coward has multiple elite traits by the numbers—shooting, rebounding, and team defense—and his advanced stats outclass Bryant’s in almost every way.

If you're betting on a role player turning into a star, Coward has the résumé and the motor. Bryant? Still mostly projection.

Almost everything about Bryant is theoretical which makes him the swing, not the other way around.

[Walton1one]

Agree to disagree and I fully admit I could be wrong, but Coward is just as\if not more theoretical IMO

Yes, it is true that youth is no guarantee of a better outcome, however the likelihood to improve is, otherwise Coward wouldn’t have gone from division 3 to Duke/NBA in the matter of 3 years

Comparing one players numbers in the big sky, to another players numbers in the big 12 is apples and oranges, could they translate? Sure, but more likely than not they would not translate as well, that is the point, meaning he is a risk, he is older, his stats have come against inferior competition, and no one knows if they will translate or not, everyone is projecting that they will to some point

Every single scouting report on Bryant has commented how they think his defense will translate to NBA level, even the most skeptical ones. Whether or not his offense, specifically his on ball offense will translate is TBD.

It is pretty clear in the consensus that Bryant is a lottery/top 10 pick because of the projectability of his defense to translate, and the upside of his offensive skills to improve

Coward has the physical tools and impressive numbers, as you & others have shown, albeit against a lesser competition & a small subset of games (WSU). He could certainly end up better than Bryant, or vice versa, or neither of them or both of them who really knows?

I’m not a scout, but reading\watching scouting reports I can just say that I feel more confident in Bryant if he doesn’t hit his ceiling to be a useful rotational player, then I do Coward

Curious, though, to see if POR brings in Coward for a workout?

If they do draft him, I hope he succeeds

[Walton1one]

Read on Twitter

Wow, top 20 pick?

[Dame Lizard]

The level of competition matters, the fact that Bryant played on a team of high usage vets as a freshman matters, the fact that Bryant was a top 20 recruit is relevant

I am not saying that Coward could not be that older diamond in the rough (Dame) but that scenario is more the exception than the rule, and Bryant being 3 years younger, does matter in terms of runway for development

Also, the level of competition concerns cannot be overstated, he has been playing against subpar players & then 6 games vs some weaker teams at WSU & everyone seems to be extrapolating from that, as if those stats would be similar if he played in the SEC or ACC.

What would he be like playing at Duke? We won’t know because he’s not going there. Instead he turned pro, now he could end up being great, he could also end up really struggling, and we’re not even talking about Duke. We are talking about going up against NBA level players

He has some tantalizing measurables & intriguing stats but banking on his shooting vs subpar teams\limited major conference exposure translating at an NBA level is a real risk

Now a lot of draft analysts and scouts really like him, and he is definitely moving up the boards to around the back third of the lottery, so I am really curious to see where he goes, but IMO he is a taking a swing pick, like Essengue, where they both have the requisite tools but nothing definitive that you can bank on that will translate at the NBA level

Bryant - defense

Demin - passing, floor mapping\vision, I would also add the positional versatility is highly valued, particularly since he will play at 6’9 - 6’10

Jakucionis - passing, shooting (pre injury he was lights out) & positional versatility

Those would be the 3 players that POR should target IMO. After that take the swing (Essengue\Coward\Newell\Riley)

Demin is 6'9/6'10, although his average wingspan makes him comparable to a 6'7/6'8 player. He's also pretty slow, and doesn't use his length for rebounding (which is quite poor). His assist to turnover ratio isn't overly amazing either.

I just don't see it with him. I'd take him at #20, but #11 would be a disappointing outcome for Portland imo.

[BlazersBroncos]

Beringer might be a guy that I would have issues passing up if we got a 2nd FRP. I am super high on DC but this kid has wild talent and the way he moves at 7’0 barefoot is rare. Think a Lively level player is more likely than not with upside that might be close to Dwight.

[dckingsfan]

The level of competition matters, the fact that Bryant played on a team of high usage vets as a freshman matters, the fact that Bryant was a top 20 recruit is relevant

I am not saying that Coward could not be that older diamond in the rough (Dame) but that scenario is more the exception than the rule, and Bryant being 3 years younger, does matter in terms of runway for development

Also, the level of competition concerns cannot be overstated, he has been playing against subpar players & then 6 games vs some weaker teams at WSU & everyone seems to be extrapolating from that, as if those stats would be similar if he played in the SEC or ACC.

What would he be like playing at Duke? We won’t know because he’s not going there. Instead he turned pro, now he could end up being great, he could also end up really struggling, and we’re not even talking about Duke. We are talking about going up against NBA level players

He has some tantalizing measurables & intriguing stats but banking on his shooting vs subpar teams\limited major conference exposure translating at an NBA level is a real risk

Now a lot of draft analysts and scouts really like him, and he is definitely moving up the boards to around the back third of the lottery, so I am really curious to see where he goes, but IMO he is a taking a swing pick, like Essengue, where they both have the requisite tools but nothing definitive that you can bank on that will translate at the NBA level

Bryant - defense

Demin - passing, floor mapping\vision, I would also add the positional versatility is highly valued, particularly since he will play at 6’9 - 6’10

Jakucionis - passing, shooting (pre injury he was lights out) & positional versatility

Those would be the 3 players that POR should target IMO. After that take the swing (Essengue\Coward\Newell\Riley)

I am with you on Bryant, Essengue and shmaybe Jakucionis, but to me Demin is a hard no. I do like Coward.

But dang, there will be plenty of players and trade options available at 11. And I don't see as much separation (in terms of floor and ceiling) on a lot of these guys. I think the winner is someone like Brooklyn with many picks - well, Dallas and SA too.

Either way, I have enjoyed this thread - lots of really good back and forth. Your links have been illuminating... thanks.

[Norm2953]

Totally agree there should be some options at 11, similar to what the Bulls had at 11 in last years draft when
they ended with Buzelis.

I just hope its a player that will be able to fit in amongst Camara, Deni and DC if its front court player and
Scoot, Sharpe if its a guard.

Big question will be is if Scoot/Sharpe are the building pieces in the BC for Sharpe is now extension eligible
and Scoot will be extension eligible next summer. Their extension decision will likely be made by the new
owner but the positional flexibility of KJ might be irresistible for Portland if he were to fall to 11.

[zzaj]

Read on Twitter

Wow, top 20 pick?

I'm a fan of Beringer, and a fan of "French bigs" in general. I even thought Sarr showed some stuff that bodes well last year. I actually had a dream a couple of weeks ago that the Blazers drafted Essengue and Beringer (I don't remember how they acquired a second pick) and I was pretty excited about the defensive potential of the team.

[Tim Lehrbach]

As much as I want to see some new faces in the backcourt, Essengue and Beringer do seem like the sort of big swing picks Portland should be making.

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=DerekParker[
Good scouting breakdown of Demin. Trying to convince myself to be ok with him when Schmitz picks him over Coward.

[BlazersBroncos]

Noa was measured and it was about as freakish as one could expect -

6'10" barefoot
204lbs
7'1" wingspan
9'2" standing reach
9" hand length
10.75" hand width

That makes him 6'11 in shoes FWIW. That standing reach is 1.5 inches from Dwight Howard. The hand length is amongst the best ever with Leonard being the gold standard at 9.75 and 11.25. He has grown across the board in the past year and who knows if its even over.

The fact Noa moves the way he does with the above measurements is not normal. Unfortunate that he will be gone by the time we pick.