Draft prospects @ 10

[Blazinaway]

The guys at 12 don't seem to impress me. I think this year of any would be easiest to move up a few spots. I'd feel much better picking someone like Oladipo, Shabazz, Zeller, Porter etc than Olynyk or Robinson III

Yeah, there's just a pretty unimpressive crop at #12, which makes me come to the opposite conclusion as you. I think this will be a HARDER draft to move up in because the talent pool is shallow. If teams are looking to use their pick to bring in a player this year, they won't want to drop from those 6-9 spots down to 12.

Personally, I still like the idea of moving down from #12 to somewhere in the #17-#21 range and unloading some salary (see: Freeland) in the process. For me, the talent level between picks 11 and 21 aren't all that drastically different this year. There's projected to be 6 difference project C's in that range, none of whom jump off the page as being better than the other. It's that 11-21 range where I think teams could do some moving up and moving down. Getting into the Top 10 will be tougher and I don't think Portland has any assets to do it tbh.

Dump Freeland and slide down and grab Dieng possibly at that 17-21 range, could be a lot of position flux, epsecially in this draft, as workouts get underway

[Norm2953]

Some of those players might be there for Portland though at either 11 or 12 for there are
some wild cards like the Greek player which a team like the OKC Thunder might draft
and stash overseas.

The thing is this is going to be a year which the draft workouts will decide who gets picked
there. Cleveland off workouts liked Dion Waiters at 4 passing on Drummond and Lillard
and all it would take to throw the draft out of whack if someone ahead of Portland picked
the Greek player or perhaps Rudy Gobert. Just let the other teams make mistakes and
pick the BPA for if I were Portland, I might take flyer on one of the Euros or perhaps
a raw player like Stephen Adams who might be okay in 3-4 years.

[DusterBuster]

Dump Freeland and slide down and grab Dieng possibly at that 17-21 range, could be a lot of position flux, epsecially in this draft, as workouts get underway

Exactly my thoughts. For what it's worth (which admittedly isn't a lot), Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld shares my opinion of this draft, particularly between picks 12-30.....

This draft doesn’t stink… it simply doesn’t have any franchise players… also the guys ranked from 12 to 32 are virtually interchangeable.

That's basically what I've been saying for awhile with my idea of the Blazers using trading down in the draft as a vehicle for dumping Freeland. The two edged sword with that is many other GM's may feel the same way, but if one GM falls in love with a guy and they're in the 20's, moving up to 12 could guarantee that they get the player they want and it may be worth them taking on Freeland.

A team that I've targeted who I think a deal like that would make a lot of sense for is Utah. They currently have two picks, their own #14 (which I think is where it will stay since I don't think they'll overtake LA at this point) and the Warriors pick at #21. They're plan, according to reports, is to let all their veterans walk for free and not spend any major FA cash this summer. They want to be cheap, young and bad for next season in favor of letting guys like Favors, Kanter, Haywood and their rookies get starting roles and minutes, then be bad enough for a high pick in 2014. That means they'll need cheap bodies to fill out their roster since they won't be signing big contract veteran FA's. Freeland actually fills a role for them. On top of that, they want rookies, so moving up from 21 to 12 would be ideal as they'd get 2 lower lottery picks.

The Blazers meanwhile get rid of Freeland's contract and get a cheaper rookie at #21 who's potential for being a rotation player won't be much worse (if any at all) than the player at #12 will be.

[Goldbum]

I agree with u about Utah. Living in Salt Lake I get more "Jazz insider" info than I want and that seems close to the plan. They really want a PG in fact I believe that they might be willing to take on Freeland and give #14 to get MCW or Burke.

[Wizenheimer]

Dump Freeland and slide down and grab Dieng possibly at that 17-21 range, could be a lot of position flux, epsecially in this draft, as workouts get underway

Exactly my thoughts. For what it's worth (which admittedly isn't a lot), Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld shares my opinion of this draft, particularly between picks 12-30.....

This draft doesn’t stink… it simply doesn’t have any franchise players… also the guys ranked from 12 to 32 are virtually interchangeable.

That's basically what I've been saying for awhile with my idea of the Blazers using trading down in the draft as a vehicle for dumping Freeland. The two edged sword with that is many other GM's may feel the same way, but if one GM falls in love with a guy and they're in the 20's, moving up to 12 could guarantee that they get the player they want and it may be worth them taking on Freeland.

A team that I've targeted who I think a deal like that would make a lot of sense for is Utah. They currently have two picks, their own #14 (which I think is where it will stay since I don't think they'll overtake LA at this point) and the Warriors pick at #21. They're plan, according to reports, is to let all their veterans walk for free and not spend any major FA cash this summer. They want to be cheap, young and bad for next season in favor of letting guys like Favors, Kanter, Haywood and their rookies get starting roles and minutes, then be bad enough for a high pick in 2014. That means they'll need cheap bodies to fill out their roster since they won't be signing big contract veteran FA's. Freeland actually fills a role for them. On top of that, they want rookies, so moving up from 21 to 12 would be ideal as they'd get 2 lower lottery picks.

The Blazers meanwhile get rid of Freeland's contract and get a cheaper rookie at #21 who's potential for being a rotation player won't be much worse (if any at all) than the player at #12 will be.

do you guys see the flaw in your argument??

if there is truly little to no difference between the 12th pick and the next 15 picks or so, then why would any team pay around 7 million dollars (Freeland's contract + rookie scale) just to move up?? It simply makes no sense, no matter how many logical contortions you concoct for why it does. I mean for instance, Utah is cheap. If they want end of the bench guys there are plenty of veterans that will play for 1/3 the cost of Freeland and will do so for a 1 year deal....and be more effective

on the other hand, if like every draft the odds are higher of landing a functional player at 12 then at 20 or 21, then Portland would not really be considering the deal. And if they really need cap-space they can trade the 12th for a future 1st and at the same time use the stretch provision on freeland. Not only will the net effect, cap-wise, be about the same, but then, they would have the leverage of an available 1st in future trade talks

[GreenRiddler]

Yea we should just stand pat @11 or 12. Tell me the last time trading down worked out? For anyone. Just because Kyler says 12-31 is no different, your gonna believe it as equivocally true? Do some of the research yourself, or don't state an ignorant opinion.

[DusterBuster]

Yea we should just stand pat @11 or 12. Tell me the last time trading down worked out? For anyone. Just because Kyler says 12-31 is no different, your gonna believe it as equivocally true? Do some of the research yourself, or don't state an ignorant opinion.

Had you bothered to read my post properly, you would have seen that I said it's something I've believed long before he said it. He just happened to say what I've been saying for a few weeks now and it provided a sliver (as small as that may be) of legitimacy to my theory.

I don't get why people on RealGM have to get their panties in a bind over someone having a different opinion than them. I happen to like the idea and think it makes some sense. You don't agree with me, fine, but there's no reason for name calling.

[DaVoiceMaster]

There is only 1 person on this forum who should be wearing panties. If there is more than 1, then someone has a lotta esplainin' to do!!!

[DeBlazerRiddem]

The only reason the Jazz would take on Freeland to move up is if they fell in love with a player and wanted to ensure they got him. How about we figure out the player between 12 and 32 that we like the most and take them.

[Norm2953]

I'm really fascinated by the Greek player Giannis Adetokunbo. In a draft where there are
no apparent superstar players, picking this guy might be as good a gamble as any.

Danny Ainge thinks he's a 6-9 PG and if he works out well, might be a guy ends up being
drafted in the mid lottery, especially a team like the OKC Thunder.

[Goldbum]

The only reason the Jazz would take on Freeland to move up is if they fell in love with a player and wanted to ensure they got him. How about we figure out the player between 12 and 32 that we like the most and take them.

Because the Jazz REALLY want a PG and we have a great one.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I'm really fascinated by the Greek player Giannis Adetokunbo. In a draft where there are
no apparent superstar players, picking this guy might be as good a gamble as any.

Danny Ainge thinks he's a 6-9 PG and if he works out well, might be a guy ends up being
drafted in the mid lottery, especially a team like the OKC Thunder.

He's not a PG, think more like Batum, but he might have as much potential as anyone else in the draft.

The only reason the Jazz would take on Freeland to move up is if they fell in love with a player and wanted to ensure they got him. How about we figure out the player between 12 and 32 that we like the most and take them.

Because the Jazz REALLY want a PG and we have a great one.

I wouldn't let Lillard stop me from drafting a PG if they were the best player available. Look at what Lillard has done with Maynor, he is not a true PG (not a knock on him, just a recognition of fact).

[Case2012]

Saying the picks are all the same 12 through 20 is a giant generalization. Humans are very unpredictable and deterministic.

[DusterBuster]

Saying the picks are all the same 12 through 20 is a giant generalization. Humans are very unpredictable and deterministic.

The only generalization being done here is what you just did to my comment.

I said they all have around the same chance of being a rotation player level player. In this draft, you have the same chance at pick #12 as you would at #21 that the player develops into a useful NBA rotation/starter talent. Obviously some will and some won't for different reasons, but that doesn't change the fact that it's all pretty hit and miss in that range of this years draft.

For instance, look at all the center prospects projected to go in the first round of this years draft from 12 - 30....

Olynyk
McGary
Gobert
Nogueira
Adams
Withey
Dieng

Can you honestly tell me one of these guys have a better chance of being a NBA player than any of the others listed? No. They've all got roughly the same potential of panning out. A little different strengths here and there, but all with significant weaknesses and all are considered projects.

Each draft has pretty clear tiers in it. I'd say this years draft breaks down like this....

Tier 1: 1-3
Tier 2: 2-10
Tier 3: 11-30

[Billy]

Even though I haven't seen much of Shabazz, I am intrigued by his game. He seems like he has the potential to be a very powerful and talented guard. One thing I noticed during the Pac-12 and NCAA tournament, is that he appears to have some room for growth in the maturity department. That's not at all surprising (or even really bad) for a 19/20 year old. He definitely seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve at times, and I think that the body language was not the greatest.

That said, I'd be thrilled to have him.

[GreenRiddler]

Even though I haven't seen much of Shabazz, I am intrigued by his game. He seems like he has the potential to be a very powerful and talented guard. One thing I noticed during the Pac-12 and NCAA tournament, is that he appears to have some room for growth in the maturity department. That's not at all surprising (or even really bad) for a 19/20 year old. He definitely seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve at times, and I think that the body language was not the greatest.

That said, I'd be thrilled to have him.

But a top 3 team isn't willing to roll the dice on that. Your looking at a career scorer. I am just terrified if I am a Bobcats fan, because he reminds me a little of Nick young.

Saying the picks are all the same 12 through 20 is a giant generalization. Humans are very unpredictable and deterministic.

The only generalization being done here is what you just did to my comment.

I said they all have around the same chance of being a rotation player level player. In this draft, you have the same chance at pick #12 as you would at #21 that the player develops into a useful NBA rotation/starter talent. Obviously some will and some won't for different reasons, but that doesn't change the fact that it's all pretty hit and miss in that range of this years draft.

For instance, look at all the center prospects projected to go in the first round of this years draft from 12 - 30....

Olynyk
McGary
Gobert
Nogueira
Adams
Withey
Dieng

Can you honestly tell me one of these guys have a better chance of being a NBA player than any of the others listed? No. They've all got roughly the same potential of panning out. A little different strengths here and there, but all with significant weaknesses and all are considered projects.

Each draft has pretty clear tiers in it. I'd say this years draft breaks down like this....

Tier 1: 1-3
Tier 2: 2-10
Tier 3: 11-30

That's the case with all draft not just this one, a 12 pick is never a sure thing but a hit and miss, but you have a better opportunity. That last tier is way to large.

Also why did you include just big men in your assessment? Why not wings who pan out quicker? Like say Goodwin who is set to be a high 20's pick or cj mccollum who is in the 11-14 range? He has clearly a better chance to stick in the NBA.

If it's your opinion that the 12th pick is likely to be no different than the 28th pick that's fine. But it seems narrow minded to me, IMO.

[Milkdud]

Given how rotten the bench has been this season getting a guard with some scoring punch would be nice. It all depends who is there when the Blazers come up but CJ is interesting.

[Case2012]

Saying any group of 20 young people is basically the same in terms of talent or potential is a generalization. Not trying to be antagonistic, I'm just saying. Erick green is projected as a early second but he could be next year's Lillard. You never know.

[Toronto_Blazers]

Just wondering, what are your guys impression of C.J. McCollum? I'd love to get him with the 12th pick to boost the bench and become our 6th man, he seems like he has the perfect tools for that role

[T-Blazin1995]

http://nbadraft.net/players/kentavious-caldwell-pope.
I really think portland should trade down to 16 and get this guy. Kentavious Caldwell pope. Seems like a shooting guard version of melo a poor mans melo but still would be a great boost to portland's bench a perfect 6th man.