And Then There Was One: Thank Nation 2. Raps pick 23rd

[CoachJReturns]

Obviously, Masai is trying to figure out "what actually makes us better, enough to beat Cavs and win a chip [eventually]".
I could see Powell + 1 pick on the table for a higher pick, assuming its for a player we feel can be injected into the starting lineup.

Packaging both picks (alone) to move up to one pick, may not get you high enough to where you need to be. But if you substitute a proven NBA talent, on cheap controllable contract [Powell], the pick you can obtain goes up.

I think that given the fact that virtually all the top prospects are 19 year old freshmen, Masai would not trade up for one thinking they would be ready to start. He'd be happy if they got 10-15 minutes a game at that age. Unless he thinks he can grab Tatum, who won't be easy to acquire.

Yeah, I guess it's not exactly unheard of for rookies to get minutes in the playoffs. In the first 2 rounds of the playoffs we faced rookies who looked perfectly fine. That's probably the best way to come into the league anyway.
I should have said "injected into the starting lineup" ... by playoff time [on a contending team].
Sure its a stretch ... but thats what we're left with.
Best odds, is a big bodied defender +

[CoachJReturns]

There seems to be a consensus to either trade the picks for a veteran, or put together a package for a top pick. With all the names the Raptors were rumored to be interested in through trades no longer on the market, I'll stick to trade options involving moving up in the draft.
Here is the current draftexpress mock draft:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

I think my dream scenario, short of getting Fultz and no team is giving him up, is to trade up for Jackson who would be a major talent boost as well as a guy who fits a long held need for a small forward.
To get a guy like Jackson, would have to require a very big offer. Basically, anyone not named Kyle and DeMar would have to be available.
Someone like Rabb, or Giles might be available for much less of course.

For Jackson I'd start with something like:

2017 Raps 1st + 2017 Clippers 1st + 2019 Raps 1st. + Powell/Ross + Poeltl/JV

Of course this only works if the other team has any interest in a young perimeter shooter/defender and a center. This is clearly a huge offer, so you only make it if you're exceedingly confident in the prospects ability to develop into a star.

Anyone else have any ideas to get us one of the truly elite players, or any upgrades through the draft?

[mademan]

Frank Ntilinka. Trade Powell+1st to grab him, dude will be a star

[LonZoBallin]

There seems to be a consensus to either trade the picks for a veteran, or put together a package for a top pick. With all the names the Raptors were rumored to be interested in through trades no longer on the market, I'll stick to trade options involving moving up in the draft.
Here is the current draftexpress mock draft:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

I think my dream scenario, short of getting Fultz and no team is giving him up, is to trade up for Jackson who would be a major talent boost as well as a guy who fits a long held need for a small forward.
To get a guy like Jackson, would have to require a very big offer. Basically, anyone not named Kyle and DeMar would have to be available.
Someone like Rabb, or Giles might be available for much less of course.

For Jackson I'd start with something like:

2017 Raps 1st + 2017 Clippers 1st + 2019 Raps 1st. + Powell/Ross + Poeltl/JV

Of course this only works if the other team has any interest in a young perimeter shooter/defender and a center. This is clearly a huge offer, so you only make it if you're exceedingly confident in the prospects ability to develop into a star.

Anyone else have any ideas to get us one of the truly elite players, or any upgrades through the draft?

I think Jackson is gone top 3 so you aren't getting him.

Honestly, I really wish Lowry was a Big or SF haha The highest BPA that drops will be a point guard. I really like Ntilikina and even Fox, both I think could drop. I know Fox can't shoot but he'll be top 3 fastest with the Ball in the league from day 1(if not fastest) And he's so active on D he could cause havoc on the floor. When you're that fast it doesn't really matter if you can shoot. His play making is very good too! underrated for sure. And Ntilikina has the same 2 way potential but has a 3 shot too.

With Fultz, DSJ and Ball all PGs projected ahead I think one of these two could drop out of the top 10. I think they're top 5 talents though.

If the Knicks, Bulls or even Magic get one of those 2 players outside the top 10 I'll be pissed.

[super_balls]

There seems to be a consensus to either trade the picks for a veteran, or put together a package for a top pick. With all the names the Raptors were rumored to be interested in through trades no longer on the market, I'll stick to trade options involving moving up in the draft.
Here is the current draftexpress mock draft:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

I think my dream scenario, short of getting Fultz and no team is giving him up, is to trade up for Jackson who would be a major talent boost as well as a guy who fits a long held need for a small forward.
To get a guy like Jackson, would have to require a very big offer. Basically, anyone not named Kyle and DeMar would have to be available.
Someone like Rabb, or Giles might be available for much less of course.

For Jackson I'd start with something like:

2017 Raps 1st + 2017 Clippers 1st + 2019 Raps 1st. + Powell/Ross + Poeltl/JV

Of course this only works if the other team has any interest in a young perimeter shooter/defender and a center. This is clearly a huge offer, so you only make it if you're exceedingly confident in the prospects ability to develop into a star.

Anyone else have any ideas to get us one of the truly elite players, or any upgrades through the draft?

I like Jackson as well, and to a lesser extent Tatum but I think I'd make a package for Issac instead. Kid has all the tools to be that modern day Durrant/AD/PorzinGod type. I have a feeling about this kid.

Had 23/10/7 Blocks the other night. Two in the last 10 seconds of the game where they were only up 3. Aside from Fultz, I think this kid has the highest ceiling in the draft.

Watch on YouTube

[LJKO]

There seems to be a consensus to either trade the picks for a veteran, or put together a package for a top pick. With all the names the Raptors were rumored to be interested in through trades no longer on the market, I'll stick to trade options involving moving up in the draft.
Here is the current draftexpress mock draft:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

I think my dream scenario, short of getting Fultz and no team is giving him up, is to trade up for Jackson who would be a major talent boost as well as a guy who fits a long held need for a small forward.
To get a guy like Jackson, would have to require a very big offer. Basically, anyone not named Kyle and DeMar would have to be available.
Someone like Rabb, or Giles might be available for much less of course.

For Jackson I'd start with something like:

2017 Raps 1st + 2017 Clippers 1st + 2019 Raps 1st. + Powell/Ross + Poeltl/JV

Of course this only works if the other team has any interest in a young perimeter shooter/defender and a center. This is clearly a huge offer, so you only make it if you're exceedingly confident in the prospects ability to develop into a star.

Anyone else have any ideas to get us one of the truly elite players, or any upgrades through the draft?

I like Jackson as well, and to a lesser extent Tatum but I think I'd make a package for Issac instead. Kid has all the tools to be that modern day Durrant/AD/PorzinGod type. I have a feeling about this kid.

Had 23/10/7 Blocks the other night. Two in the last 10 seconds of the game where they were only up 3. Aside from Fultz, I think this kid has the highest ceiling in the draft.

Watch on YouTube

I think that is the best case scenario for us and trading Pow+JV+Both Ours and Clips 2017 1st RD Pick for Ibaka+Orlando 2017 1st RD Pick

[Wraps_fan]

A guy nobody seems to be talking about but is having an amazing season and is skyrocketing up the mock drafts is Lauri Markkanen, a 7 foot PF/C who is absolutely automatic from 3 and has some slashing ability in him as-well. He's shooting 49% from 3 this year on 5 attempts per game. His true shooting % is 67%, absolutely crazy

He's a total Masai pick, extremely good advanced stats. 139 ORTG, 9.5 OBPM, .279 WS/40, and a 27.0 PER which is significant since the Raptors have drafted the leaders in PER back to back seasons now.

The only problem: He's going to go in the lottery, likely in the 8-11 range. Would probably require trade where we package one of our 1st rounders with Cory Joseph or Terrence Ross to move up.

[BoyzNTheHood]

A guy nobody seems to be talking about but is having an amazing season and is skyrocketing up the mock drafts is Lauri Markkanen, a 7 foot PF/C who is absolutely automatic from 3 and has some slashing ability in him as-well. He's shooting 49% from 3 this year on 5 attempts per game. His true shooting % is 67%, absolutely crazy

He's a total Masai pick, extremely good advanced stats. 139 ORTG, 9.5 OBPM, .279 WS/40, and a 27.0 PER which is significant since the Raptors have drafted the leaders in PER back to back seasons now.

The only problem: He's going to go in the lottery, likely in the 8-11 range. Would probably require trade where we package one of our 1st rounders with Cory Joseph or Terrence Ross to move up.

People have mentioned him, but the bolded segment describes exactly why he hasn't been discussed more in-depth. The same reason we don't go in depth about guys like Fultz, Jackson, Ball, Smith, or any other of the top-10 guys. No team is giving up a top-10 pick in this draft for a package other than one containing a star coming back.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I'm hoping we can at least get close to Harry Giles range. Markkennen is long gone. Not even gonna bother discussing him.

This kid from the French league, Lessort looks pretty good to me.

[CoachJReturns]

A guy nobody seems to be talking about but is having an amazing season and is skyrocketing up the mock drafts is Lauri Markkanen, a 7 foot PF/C who is absolutely automatic from 3 and has some slashing ability in him as-well. He's shooting 49% from 3 this year on 5 attempts per game. His true shooting % is 67%, absolutely crazy

He's a total Masai pick, extremely good advanced stats. 139 ORTG, 9.5 OBPM, .279 WS/40, and a 27.0 PER which is significant since the Raptors have drafted the leaders in PER back to back seasons now.

The only problem: He's going to go in the lottery, likely in the 8-11 range. Would probably require trade where we package one of our 1st rounders with Cory Joseph or Terrence Ross to move up.

He can play. He's got great potential as a scorer and given his production, he's a pretty safe pick. I can't speak for anyone else, but I feel like I'm not discussing him a lot because I'm looking for 2 way players and for a 7 foot guy, he really can't seem to block a shot. That's certainly not a problem though if we had a more defensive minded center. He's also pretty average as a rebounder.
Of course, if Masai thought he was Dirk, rather than Bargs, who really cares?

[super_balls]

OG OUT FOR THE SEASON!

Read on Twitter

Blessing in disguise?

[Risk101]

OG OUT FOR THE SEASON!

Read on Twitter

Blessing in disguise?

If he drops to us with the Clippers pick or the Raptors picks we just got a top 10 for scraps. His upside is ridiculous but we still have to weight to see the severity of the injury. He's a lotto pick currently.

Watch on YouTube

[CoachJReturns]

That's pretty bad luck for OG. He was a lotto pick. I'm sure Masai will be monitoring his health all year now since he'll certainly take a nose dive in the rankings.

[Yallbecrazy]

Draft is so insanely deep this year, that you almost might as well stand pat and do your scouting, having a 22nd pick in this draft is like picking #12 in most years. Maybe you can throw in the Raps #28 pick and move up 1 or 2 spots from wherever the Clips picks

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Yeah, was just coming here to post about OG's injury. He could fall in the draft, with Masai in prime position to move up and draft him.

[Kevin Willis]

OG OUT FOR THE SEASON!

Read on Twitter

Blessing in disguise?

He's raw offensively and relied on his athleticism to get his points. Knee surgery would hurt that so it's bad news for him. Plus this is a deep draft, he might drop right out of the first round if an Isaac or a Giles drops into our lap and others don't bite. He should come back for another year.

[CoachJReturns]

Yeah, was just coming here to post about OG's injury. He could fall in the draft, with Masai in prime position to move up and draft him.

I know the most likely scenario is always to keep any picks and not move up or down. That being said, with there being a clear need to inject a talent upgrade into the lineup, I think most will be a little more annoyed than usual if nothing transpires.

[LJKO]

Clippers getting picked apart by the Nuggets right now ^_^; Normally i'm hating on Denver by today i'm happy ^_^

[Wraps_fan]

Clippers about to be 0-2 since Paul's injury, both losses to pretty bad teams.

There's a legit chance that our LAC pick can end up being as high as 17th or 18th, pretty crazy. They will be 29-16 after tonight. Just to think they could be like 30-25 10 games from now. Griffin will be back soon but I'm sure he'll be on some sort of minutes restriction until the all-star break

[Psubs]

OG OUT FOR THE SEASON!

Read on Twitter

Blessing in disguise?

If he drops to us with the Clippers pick or the Raptors picks we just got a top 10 for scraps. His upside is ridiculous but we still have to weight to see the severity of the injury. He's a lotto pick currently.

Watch on YouTube

He's someone that Brooklyn should look at with the Boston pick to try and hit a homerun.