Draft prospects @ 10

[Goldbum]

Matthews would be the perfect player to add to the Roy/LMA/Oden dynasty. Unfortunately, the Blazers were 3 knees short of making that work.

Now the Blazers need more stars. Lillard and LMA are just not good enough to surround them with solid role players and be a very good team. It is possible, but unlikely Batum makes that jump. So that leaves getting another hit in the draft. Trading #10 and Matthews to move up for Oladipo is probably not going to make the Blazers better. If Oladipo's shooting is a mirage, it will make them worse. But if the shooting holds and the ball handling comes around, Oladipo could be an All-Star. Not likely, but possible. It at least gives the Blazers a chance. I probably wouldn't make that trade, but I understand the logic behind it.

I understand but don't agree with this type of thinking... This goes right along with the whole "were not going to win a title so lets blow it up and hope we get Wiggins ..." it makes logical sense but the reality of becoming worse so you can get better is that it fails far more often than it succeeds. Putting all your eggs in flawed basket can set a franchise back years.

[jhern87]

BPA at 10.. Period. This team needs WAY too much at the moment. I'd much rather take Bazz or CPope at 10 and keep Wes than use him to get Dipo. Then bring Elliott Williams back to compete at the backup 2.

Personally though, I think Zellar would be an absolute steal at 10. I was surprised by his athleticism and he really hustles. A guy with that size, athletic ability and ability to get after it is almost sure to contribute immediately.

[Jsun947]

Lets say we trade Wes and Aldridge and get Oladipo, Thompson, and a 1st in 2014.

We likely would be between the 2nd and 5th worst team in the league depending on how we use our cap space. I doubt we'd be worse than Charlotte. That only gives us a 20% shot at best of getting Wiggins. Then after that there is a chance he doesn't become as good as we all hope. Lets say Oladipo doesn't become better than Wes, neither of our picks are as good as Aldridge and we don't get a marquee free agent. Whether you like it or not that's the most likely scenario.

[jhern87]

Lets say we trade Wes and Aldridge and get Oladipo, Thompson, and a 1st in 2014.

We likely would be between the 2nd and 5th worst team in the league depending on how we use our cap space. I doubt we'd be worse than Charlotte. That only gives us a 20% shot at best of getting Wiggins. Then after that there is a chance he doesn't become as good as we all hope. Lets say Oladipo doesn't become better than Wes, neither of our picks are as good as Aldridge and we don't get a marquee free agent. Whether you like it or not that's the most likely scenario.

Well what about the scenario where Aldridge leaves us high and dry after his contract is up? Every option is going to have its pros and cons. That being said, TT, Oladipo and a couple first rounders in a perceived to be deep draft next year isn't a bad option for reloading.

[Clarity]

Matthews would be the perfect player to add to the Roy/LMA/Oden dynasty. Unfortunately, the Blazers were 3 knees short of making that work.

Now the Blazers need more stars. Lillard and LMA are just not good enough to surround them with solid role players and be a very good team. It is possible, but unlikely Batum makes that jump. So that leaves getting another hit in the draft. Trading #10 and Matthews to move up for Oladipo is probably not going to make the Blazers better. If Oladipo's shooting is a mirage, it will make them worse. But if the shooting holds and the ball handling comes around, Oladipo could be an All-Star. Not likely, but possible. It at least gives the Blazers a chance. I probably wouldn't make that trade, but I understand the logic behind it.

good post

[Jsun947]

You can still trade Aldridge after this draft. There's no reason to blow it up now.

[jhern87]

You can still trade Aldridge after this draft. There's no reason to blow it up now.

I agree.. I think it just depends on if the FO thinks they can get a better deal before teams know that they have no choice but to deal Aldridge if they want to get anything for him. A deal sooner rather than later would also give the team longer to attempt to gel. I doubt they move Aldridge though, were more likely to see an established Center added to the roster.

[Clarity]

You can still trade Aldridge after this draft. There's no reason to blow it up now.

An Aldridge decision coming next year is actually an amazing string of luck for Portland.

If they move him there would be multiple first round picks & likely (unless Portland somehow upgrades significantly this Summer) their own lottery pick.

It would allow them to acquire some good young talent in the trade as well as some serious talent in a loaded draft next year including potentially a franchise changer or two.

[Norm2953]

The chances of adding multiple first round picks in the 14 draft are slim and none no
lottery bound team will deal their pick, even for Aldridge. They'll do it for the 13 draft
for no one player is going to make a big difference for next season.

[hussamga]

btw you can find most of UGA games with KCP (what everyone calls pope) on ESPN3 replays, theres games against goodwin and UK, and also UCLA game (bazz 2nd game of season).

disclaimer the games are generally slow and boring, even as a uga fan i must admit

[Shem]

There is going to be a thing on NBA TV with the Draft Combine in the next hour. Knowing NBA TV, it will be a condensed version of what happened, but we shall see.

[JD45]

btw you can find most of UGA games with KCP (what everyone calls pope) on ESPN3 replays, theres games against goodwin and UK, and also UCLA game (bazz 2nd game of season).

disclaimer the games are generally slow and boring, even as a uga fan i must admit

I saw a DraftExpress twitter that KCP struggled in the Combine drills. And they have dropped him in their mock draft down to 25. I would really like to know what is the issues with him. He put up terrific agility and 3/4 sprint numbers. And showed good size and wingspan.

[Wizenheimer]

btw you can find most of UGA games with KCP (what everyone calls pope) on ESPN3 replays, theres games against goodwin and UK, and also UCLA game (bazz 2nd game of season).

disclaimer the games are generally slow and boring, even as a uga fan i must admit

I saw a DraftExpress twitter that KCP struggled in the Combine drills. And they have dropped him in their mock draft down to 25. I would really like to know what is the issues with him. He put up terrific agility and 3/4 sprint numbers. And showed good size and wingspan.

there's this little thing called a basketball....?

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I'm not sold on KCP.

Kinda felt the same way about Lamb last draft, who I suppose could still breakout. Just will struggle to be anything more than a spot up shooter in the NBA. He is going to rely on his jumper to be a decent NBA player.

Basically if his jumper translates - he will be a solid player.
If his jumper does not translate - he will be out of the league.

Not sure what skills he can fall back on.

[Clarity]

The chances of adding multiple first round picks in the 14 draft are slim and none no
lottery bound team will deal their pick, even for Aldridge. They'll do it for the 13 draft
for no one player is going to make a big difference for next season.

I wouldnt be so sure, Aldridge is a certified All Star.

[Goldbum]

I got to say. Watching the playoffs 3 of the 4 teams left have a great interior defender in the starting lineup. The other has Lebron and Bosh. Tony Parker is the only very good - great PG. And everyone has at least one great wing defender. If a Gobert develops he could be a rich mans version of Hibbert and Dieng looks similar with less upside and more roleplayer potential/lower ceiling. Even Withey can do some things and Adams has a shot to be special. We There also seem to be a ton of great potential wing defenders, like Franklin,KCP ect. Two things we seem to really lack and are available. Truth is this draft has a TON of depth @ Center and SG and those are our biggest needs.

[SinceClyde]

I'm thinking if we can get a pick in the twenties, we could really help our depth. If we pick a big at 10, then that gives us the option of maybe a Reggie Bullock. If we take a wing with 10, we still have some solid options for bigs at the end of the first. No homeruns, but we'd improve our depth.

[JasonVincent]

Combine measurements are out
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-dra ... All&sort=2

[Goldbum]

I'm thinking if we can get a pick in the twenties, we could really help our depth. If we pick a big at 10, then that gives us the option of maybe a Reggie Bullock. If we take a wing with 10, we still have some solid options for bigs at the end of the first. No homeruns, but we'd improve our depth.

I agree I would swing for the fences with one of the picks and use the other to fill a hole.
PS I'm starting to really like Kenny Kadji with a 2nd. He's super skilled long and tested out a lot better as an athlete than I thought he would. Could be a big steal as a stretch 4.

[JD45]

btw you can find most of UGA games with KCP (what everyone calls pope) on ESPN3 replays, theres games against goodwin and UK, and also UCLA game (bazz 2nd game of season).

disclaimer the games are generally slow and boring, even as a uga fan i must admit

I saw a DraftExpress twitter that KCP struggled in the Combine drills. And they have dropped him in their mock draft down to 25. I would really like to know what is the issues with him. He put up terrific agility and 3/4 sprint numbers. And showed good size and wingspan.

there's this little thing called a basketball....?

I should have given more detail. KCP was a very productive college player. According to Chad Ford:

" He makes the jump in part because of Pelton's statistical work that gave him a projected WARP that would put him seventh overall in the draft. That assessment, as it turns out, agrees with what a number of GMs that use advanced metrics are saying about him"

He was also player of the year in the SEC as a sophmore. The exact same age as McLemore and 9 months younger than Oladipo.

Normally when a very productive player falls after the combine it is because of athletic testing. But KCP looked good there. I read more where DraftExpress said that he struggled in some of the workouts.