2022 draft/prospects thread

[Brandon-Clyde]

Something else to consider is that Memphis has multiple firsts this year( 13, 23 and 28). If Portland wanted additional picks perhaps Portland could trade the worse of their two picks for multiple picks from Memphis ( say 13 and 23 plus a lottery protected next year).

[Case2012]

Chet is really pulling away as the consensus #1. He is exactly what this team needs, a defender that as a rookie could improve a team from bottom 1/3 to top 1/3. He is that special.

I see it like this right now:

TIER 1
Chet Holmgren FC

TIER 2
Jabari Smith PF

TIER 3
Jaden Ivey G
Shadeon Sharpe SG
Tari Eason F
AJ Griffin SF

TIER 4
Paolo Banchero FC
Jalen Duren C
Bennedict Mathurin GF
Kendall Brown F

TIER 5
Nikola Jovic F
EJ Liddell PF
Keegan Murray PF
Jeremy Sochan PF
Walker Kessler C
Dyson Daniels G

Not a Chet believer, I think he’s an injury waiting to happen.

I also have Keegan wayyyyy higher. I’ve watched a lot of tape from that guy and his skills will translate to the next level. He has all star potential IMO and his floor is John Collins. His only real knocks are his age and reluctance to pass, but neither bother me that much. Dame was 22 when he was a rookie, so was Broy, and both were rookies of the year. His passing can develop with coaching.

I think we’ll trade our lottery picks but if we don’t Murray is a player I would snap up if Smith, Ivey, and possibly Sharp are off the board. If he was 2 inches taller and a year younger he would have a strong case for the top pick. Why trade for Grant when you could get a younger, cheaper, higher ceiling version of him in the draft?

[Norm2953]

It would be really stupid to trade for Grant.

I think Portland should listen to trade offers for Dame. It's time to do the rebuild unless we somehow get
lucky and get a top 3 pick but a lot of draft pundits say the real value in this draft is in the mid-late
lottery for even Chet is not a franchise altering talent. Should be a good draft to add good, solid pros
who will grow with Simons, Little much like the Spurs are doing.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I've watched Chet run circles around my Dons twice now, but from this limited sample I remain unconvinced of his NBA upside, tbh. He looks to be dominating defensively using mostly his length and quick ups, advantages he won't hold so clearly over NBA opponents, but more importantly I don't think he's playing at NBA speed offensively. His shot release and dribble strike me as far more successful against NCAA competition than they'll be in the NBA. Not saying he'll "bust," necessarily, as he's definitely got some tools, but I'm not sold on his future stardom yet. Will watch more when I get time.

[Goldbum]

Keegan Murray or Tari Easton with our 2nd lotto pick?

[GEE]

After spending most of yesterday vegging, watching tons of college hoops, I'm fairly convinced there's some real deep talent in this upcoming draft, and I want MORE PICKS! It was reported a month or so ago(weeks before the actual DL) that several teams were calling about Dame. So if I'm Cronin, I think I'd be quietly making calls to all the other lottery teams, and a few others... just to see what additional picks we could get this year in a hypothetical Dame trade, because I am 100% on board with finishing a full transformation of this roster by the start of Summer League.

Ironically, I haven't been this excited about a draft since we drafted Dame, and I got to see him play in Vegas. But I continue to worry about how Dame's legacy wraps up in Portland, along with what Portland does with the assets they accumulated through recent trades.

I would much prefer us getting an addition lotto pick(3 total) this year, vs. trading them for win-now vets.

Any names in particular?

I don't really have a board drawn up or anything... yet, but what I am absolutely wanting is, instead of pretending like a Dame/Simons pairing just might work(which we all know it won't), or force/convince Simons to be 6th man, let us please just finish it. Not only for the sake of the team's future, but for Dame's as well. If not 100% committed to Dame for 3-5 more years, than Cronin and Dame must realize the trade opportunities for him to go to a contender and his overall value are surely shrinking.

This huge decision: Whether we trade future players and assets for win-now pieces to put around Dame... VS. Trading Dame for valuable pieces to fully commit to what could be a really quick and solid rebuild, has yet to be made as far as I can tell, BUT IT WILL BE MADE.

I will continue to hope for, and go off the premise that we will move Dame for a 3rd chance at getting lucky with those crazy lottery balls once again. It's starting to feel again like '06, with some strange similarities to draft as well, if we were to get into the top 2, like the GSW were able to do. Right now I dream of ORL at #1, with us at #2(HOU). The result being blessed with Jabari Smith, cause no way does Chet not go to ORL. We'd have 2 lottery picks remaining: Where, no way to know at all, but if one(Ours) falls say around #4-6 and the other(NO)around #8-10... Oh what a day that would be!!!

[JRoy]

After spending most of yesterday vegging, watching tons of college hoops, I'm fairly convinced there's some real deep talent in this upcoming draft, and I want MORE PICKS! It was reported a month or so ago(weeks before the actual DL) that several teams were calling about Dame. So if I'm Cronin, I think I'd be quietly making calls to all the other lottery teams, and a few others... just to see what additional picks we could get this year in a hypothetical Dame trade, because I am 100% on board with finishing a full transformation of this roster by the start of Summer League.

Ironically, I haven't been this excited about a draft since we drafted Dame, and I got to see him play in Vegas. But I continue to worry about how Dame's legacy wraps up in Portland, along with what Portland does with the assets they accumulated through recent trades.

I would much prefer us getting an addition lotto pick(3 total) this year, vs. trading them for win-now vets.

Any names in particular?

I don't really have a board drawn up or anything... yet, but what I am absolutely wanting is, instead of pretending like a Dame/Simons pairing just might work(which we all know it won't), or force/convince Simons to be 6th man, let us please just finish it. Not only for the sake of the team's future, but for Dame's as well. If not 100% committed to Dame for 3-5 more years, than Cronin and Dame must realize the trade opportunities for him to go to a contender and his overall value are surely shrinking.

This huge decision: Whether we trade future players and assets for win-now pieces to put around Dame... VS. Trading Dame for valuable pieces to fully commit to what could be a really quick and solid rebuild, has yet to be made as far as I can tell, BUT IT WILL BE MADE.

I will continue to hope for, and go off the premise that we will move Dame for a 3rd chance at getting lucky with those crazy lottery balls once again. It's starting to feel again like '06, with some strange similarities to draft as well, if we were to get into the top 2, like the GSW were able to do. Right now I dream of ORL at #1, with us at #2(HOU). The result being blessed with Jabari Parker, cause no way does Chet not go to ORL. We'd have 2 lottery picks remaining: Where, no way to know at all, but if one(Ours) falls say around #4-6 and the other(NO)around #8-10... Oh what a day that would be!!!

I thought maybe you had a list of guys you like outside the top 3 prospects.

I don’t really follow NCAA much except for March Madness or when the Blazers are bad enough to have a shot at a top guy. This year does seem a bit like 2006, not the greatest draft but some nice talent.

I think the best course to move on to the next iteration of the Blazers but I doubt the FO will do so until they try (and fail) to surround Lillard with top talent. Hopefully they can come to their senses without saddling the team with some trash like Tobias Harris.

I’m not as sold on Smith as some others and Banchero looks like Billy Owens to me. I like Holmgren but his build scares me, especially those bony legs. Mathurin would give us a big guard that plays both ways. I think all of us ready for some of that.

[Village Idiot]

Keegan Murray or Tari Easton with our 2nd lotto pick?

Eason. I'm sold on Eason as a 3 and D forward who can guard anyone.

Thestempien's podcast spent some time discussing Murray and they were pretty negative on him as a pro. He'd be a great guy to draft in the 20's but not in the 5-14 range.

[Goldbum]

I think Duren is Bam 2.0
So if Eason is equivalent to a near Drammond 3/4 (as opposed to Him being a 4/5) we could have a Roy/Aldridge type draft. That's pie in the sky high hopes but I'll take that shot.

[wjun15]

Very high on Duren as well...would be amazing if we were able to get a top 4 pick and NO's in the top 10 and somehow get one of Jabari/Holmgren/Banchero AND Duren

[BlazersBroncos]

I dont see the Duren to Bam comparisons.

Bam is just hard to use as a comparison because he was under 1 APG as a college guy but not is an elite passer for a big, not to mention his handle has improved astronomically. Its hard to look at someone who has transformed his game so much from college to the NBA in the way Bam has. He is one of the most unique development stories in NBA history IMO.

I like him, think he can be a great rim protector, defender in general, rebounder and roll guy in the PNR. But I cant say the guy will have the insane, out of left field development that Bam did.

[Goldbum]

Very high on Duren as well...would be amazing if we were able to get a top 4 pick and NO's in the top 10 and somehow get one of Jabari/Holmgren/Banchero AND Duren

Duren and Jabari would be a all big version of the Roy + LMA draft. Nurk gets a prodigy back up, we add that starting PF we need and pray Nas takes another step forward or we start Justice at SF. That would be a fun team to watch.

[Village Idiot]

I dont see the Duren to Bam comparisons.

Bam is just hard to use as a comparison because he was under 1 APG as a college guy but not is an elite passer for a big, not to mention his handle has improved astronomically. Its hard to look at someone who has transformed his game so much from college to the NBA in the way Bam has. He is one of the most unique development stories in NBA history IMO.

I like him, think he can be a great rim protector, defender in general, rebounder and roll guy in the PNR. But I cant say the guy will have the insane, out of left field development that Bam did.

Bam was actually pretty skilled coming out of college but he didn't get to show a lot of his skillset due to the role he played. Duren, on the other hand, is pretty unskilled. He doesn't have good hands or a feel for the game. I haven't read anywhere of any latent skills he might have. I'd steer clear of him with a lottery pick.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I dont see the Duren to Bam comparisons.

Bam is just hard to use as a comparison because he was under 1 APG as a college guy but not is an elite passer for a big, not to mention his handle has improved astronomically. Its hard to look at someone who has transformed his game so much from college to the NBA in the way Bam has. He is one of the most unique development stories in NBA history IMO.

I like him, think he can be a great rim protector, defender in general, rebounder and roll guy in the PNR. But I cant say the guy will have the insane, out of left field development that Bam did.

Bam was actually pretty skilled coming out of college but he didn't get to show a lot of his skillset due to the role he played. Duren, on the other hand, is pretty unskilled. He doesn't have good hands or a feel for the game. I haven't read anywhere of any latent skills he might have. I'd steer clear of him with a lottery pick.

Agreed that he is no Bam and is super raw, I would tend to stay away from him as well but there are worse gambles in that 10-14 range. Although if I personally am going with a big in the late lotto I might prefer Kessler.

[wjun15]

I dont see the Duren to Bam comparisons.

Bam is just hard to use as a comparison because he was under 1 APG as a college guy but not is an elite passer for a big, not to mention his handle has improved astronomically. Its hard to look at someone who has transformed his game so much from college to the NBA in the way Bam has. He is one of the most unique development stories in NBA history IMO.

I like him, think he can be a great rim protector, defender in general, rebounder and roll guy in the PNR. But I cant say the guy will have the insane, out of left field development that Bam did.

Bam was actually pretty skilled coming out of college but he didn't get to show a lot of his skillset due to the role he played. Duren, on the other hand, is pretty unskilled. He doesn't have good hands or a feel for the game. I haven't read anywhere of any latent skills he might have. I'd steer clear of him with a lottery pick.

if he shows everything he'd be a top 3 pick. he's pretty on par with bam as a prospect when bam was in college (not in terms of style but as a prospect) go back to bam draft and I bet no one had him in the top 5. duren has alot of upside due to his physical tools and his passing isn't bad. these are the kinds of players you want to draft, not guys like meyers Leonard Collins Zellers

[Village Idiot]

I dont see the Duren to Bam comparisons.

Bam is just hard to use as a comparison because he was under 1 APG as a college guy but not is an elite passer for a big, not to mention his handle has improved astronomically. Its hard to look at someone who has transformed his game so much from college to the NBA in the way Bam has. He is one of the most unique development stories in NBA history IMO.

I like him, think he can be a great rim protector, defender in general, rebounder and roll guy in the PNR. But I cant say the guy will have the insane, out of left field development that Bam did.

Bam was actually pretty skilled coming out of college but he didn't get to show a lot of his skillset due to the role he played. Duren, on the other hand, is pretty unskilled. He doesn't have good hands or a feel for the game. I haven't read anywhere of any latent skills he might have. I'd steer clear of him with a lottery pick.

if he shows everything he'd be a top 3 pick. he's pretty on par with bam as a prospect when bam was in college (not in terms of style but as a prospect) go back to bam draft and I bet no one had him in the top 5. duren has alot of upside due to his physical tools and his passing isn't bad. these are the kinds of players you want to draft, not guys like meyers Leonard Collins Zellers

Golbum and I were really high on Bam

Bam is one of my favorites in this draft. I can't fathom why he isn't in the conversation in the top 8 picks. His athleticism is off the charts. Really strong kid and great leaper. He has a good feel for the game too and unlike other athletes his understanding of the game is good enough that he knows how to position himself without the ball on offense and be in the right place on D. He's quick enough to switch onto guards. He didn't get to shoot much but to me it looks like he has a nice touch. His ball handling looks decent as well. He's fantastic on the pick-and-roll and catches in traffic and converts well. He's also good in the short corner with a good jumper from there and has efficiency of movement in ducking in for a lob. He also has a nice hook shot and some rudimentary post moves. He seems like a good character guy as well.

If this was 5 years ago he'd be billed as the next Dwight Howard and a lock for a top 3 pick. If we can get him at 15 he'd be a steal.

[BlazersBroncos]

I dont see the Duren to Bam comparisons.

Bam is just hard to use as a comparison because he was under 1 APG as a college guy but not is an elite passer for a big, not to mention his handle has improved astronomically. Its hard to look at someone who has transformed his game so much from college to the NBA in the way Bam has. He is one of the most unique development stories in NBA history IMO.

I like him, think he can be a great rim protector, defender in general, rebounder and roll guy in the PNR. But I cant say the guy will have the insane, out of left field development that Bam did.

Bam was actually pretty skilled coming out of college but he didn't get to show a lot of his skillset due to the role he played. Duren, on the other hand, is pretty unskilled. He doesn't have good hands or a feel for the game. I haven't read anywhere of any latent skills he might have. I'd steer clear of him with a lottery pick.

if he shows everything he'd be a top 3 pick. he's pretty on par with bam as a prospect when bam was in college (not in terms of style but as a prospect) go back to bam draft and I bet no one had him in the top 5. duren has alot of upside due to his physical tools and his passing isn't bad. these are the kinds of players you want to draft, not guys like meyers Leonard Collins Zellers

Duren is more in the Drummond / Wiseman tier than Bam. He just isnt skilled.

As for Zach, it never worked out but I would still love him as a backup C.

On another note, Bennedict Mathurian with our later LP is pretty appealing. The idea of a future in like 3 years with a Simons / Mathurian backcourt makes a ton of sense. Some freaking size for once. And Mathruain is a passable playmaker too.

[Goldbum]

Cherry picking my favorite picks I've seen mocked to Portland:
1st Pick: AJ Griffen
2nd Pick: Tari Eason
2nd Round Pick 1: Ismael Kamagate
2nd Round Pick 2: Trayce Jackson-Davis
I'm sure this will change, but that's a solid draft. 1 wing, 1 combo forward, 1 Freak athlete Center and 1 freak athlete PF.
I still like Duren but if we are resigning Nurk I spend that Pick on a potential starter.

[Jsun947]

Is there any doubt that if the NO pick stays in the #10 or #11 range that it’s being traded for Grant? Reports around the deadline essentially confirmed that…

[Goldbum]

Yes I believe there is doubt. Grant is a disaster trade if it take a lotto pick. Maybe Hughes and those 2 seconds plus the trade exemption buy I don't pay more than that dude. He's half the defender he was and certified chucker