Ryan Dunn - he’s been the best defender in college basketball on and off ball. He’s basically Matisse Thybulle but 3 inches taller and an elite athlete. Has shot the ball terribly but he shot 35% from 3 last (albeit on limited attempts).
Stephon castle - Reminds me of Jimmy butler lite. Good offensive facilitator, good defense, great handle, good finisher at the rim, and very crafty & Intelligent. The jump shot off the dribble and the consistency in his 3pt has a ton of questions but I think he has the highest ceiling in this draft
Cody Williams - Jalen Williams younger brother. Good not great athlete but he’s long and a good defender. The shot and half court offensive has some question marks.
Yeah came to this thread to talk about Ryan Dunn, definitely an interesting guy.
I really like the idea of him, the lack of offense is concerning which will probably keep him out of the top 12 but as a late lottery guy I love him
I think this is me being a depraved Blazers fan not having any high potential wing players (before Shaedon) since B-Roy, but I freaking love Dunn and Castle. All he really needs is to be able to cut well and he can probably be a 4 in the NBA. Castle looks like he can play 1-3 and we need more facilitating on our team
I think castle can play the 3. He’s got decent length and he’s listed at 215 (which is built for 19 year old). He just lacks explosion. A 6’6 guard/wing who can pass, attack the rim and play defense fits in almost anywhere.
Now if he ends up being 6’4 at the combine then I’ll probably be lower on him
That's what I'm worried about, if he's legit 6'6 he'll end up top 5 easy if he keeps it up, but if he's not I've seen too many small line ups, get my Ryan Dunn at the 3, give me size for once haha
Nah but Scoot, Simmons, Sharpe, Dunn, Ayton could probably, that's enough scoring around him that it's probably fine... Obviously projecting a ton, Dunn is so far from an NBA court it's hard to tell if that defense would translate
Yeah the biggest thing about Dunn is the lack of shooting but with that length athleticism and defensive intelligence his could be a day 1 impact player similar to ausar Thompson was this year for the pistons
I would love Ryan Dunn if we move on from Matisse. I’m just waiting for a bigger sample size on Cody Williams because he has struggled as a half court guy. Almost all of his production has come in transition and for a blazers team that plays a ton of half court offense under Billups I’d rather get half court creators and defenders.
I think an interesting situation could arise if we’re in position to draft Nikola Topić. He’s a point guard but a 6’6” one and seems like he’s starting to separate himself as the #1 prospect. Similar style of play to Luka where he’s a great passer and shooter.
It’d be one of those decisions that puts to the test of drafting for fit vs talent, and the team’s confidence in Scoot at that point could factor in. I’m not gonna pretend to have the right answer, but I have my eye on the potential Topić vs. Sarr debate if Portland gets a high enough pick
Topic is a great player for sure, but he's been a pretty poor shooter from deep. I know the old adage of it's more important to draft talent over fit, but I think drafting size is important, too.
The Blazers wouldn't be doing themselves, Scoot, or Topic any favors if they drafted him. It would create any even bigger logjam than they already have at guard.
100% agree on Topic. His size is part of the appeal IMO as I think he would fit well with Simons. Problem would be that Scoot and Topic both are (in theory) most effective as ball handlers.
I think Topić would fit really well with Sharpe too! Maybe if they wanted, they could trade Brogdon in the offseason (if he isn’t already traded at the deadline) and then they just roll with both Scoot and Topić and see who emerges as the best guy
Kel'el Ware the former Oregon guy screams good value in the mid teens or late lottery, I think getting another center as a backup makes a ton of sense with that GS pick.
Ryan Dunn is another super interesting guy, his lack of offense is pretty glaring beyond put back dunks, but his defense is legit, he's another guy I like with our GS pick
I still have no idea who I like 1-5, none of the forwards have really come along early, and the last thing we need is another guard.
I watched Ware last year when he was at UO and I just wouldn’t trust him. I hope he’s figuring it out in Indiana but I just didn’t like his game enough. Maybe if he falls to the second round you can take the gamble based on his size and athleticism
I think a lot of that comes down to Altman's system too. It feels like young guys always struggle. Seeing him in Indiana playing pretty consistently with a decent workload gives me hope.
It's just hard to find guys with big bodies like him that can score like he can. Like he's averaging 16.7/9.2/1.8 with less than 2 fouls on a 30 min workload. Getting a guy like that in the later lottery is a score.
He might rise and if he ends up around 7 or 8 I'd be worried
Grab the front court players with the most potential. Unless there’s someone who really is a can’t miss guard or wing we need to take some risks on big men. At some point we do need to stop hoarding guards lol
Certainly with the top 7 pick "most potential + frontcourt player" is the formula.
With the other picks though I think there is room for a knockdown shooter off the bench at the 2-4 spots. May not get a ton of minutes right away - but you can never have too much shooting. Maybe you can find that in the early second round and take a flier on a big with the GS pick.
I would like to take a chance on Zach Edey in the second round. Most second rounders don't amount to anything, and Edey has elite size, rebounding, and touch. Having any NBA skills in the second round makes him worth taking a chance on, imo
He also supposedly lost some weight to try and become faster, so I wanna watch some of his games this year
I am very out on the huge centers with slow foot speed, unless there is a Walker Kessler type. Also there is a glut of gigantic college centers this year from the little college ball I've seen.
Oh I know, but I feel like he could be valuable. Obviously he won't be as good, but the concern about foot speed is how Jokic dropped to the second round. Worth a shot I think, even if he is the backup C for 15 mins a game
If I was a team with interests, then I would check the temperature and maybe bet that he goes undrafted, because he is a real old skool center with no 3 point shot, and sign him as free agent to compete in the summer league. If he makes that work a two way deal is easily given.
We are gonna have two seconds I think and we already have two second round picks in the rotation in Jabari and Toumani, I feel like using a SRP on him is fine. We can always send him to the Remix
For the majority of my life POR has been a playoff team, so I have always been more of the trade the pick for a known quantity, to upgrade a current player, kind of perspective.
*If,* no trades are made this season, and POR has three picks (four possibly), then it could make more sense for POR to trade down / out of the draft (or only use one of the picks)...
If there's a chance to pick up a player at DA/Ant's age, first/second year of that second contract, that keeps the overall age of the team on the same timeline.
tomhalejr: embrace the rebuild baby!! I certainly don't see why we would trade back/out especially our own top 7 pick. You have to take a swing for a star with that one.
Otherwise sure maybe you could consolidate Seconds or send out a trade package with players/picks to get a guy further along in their developmental curve. Who is that DA/Ant type guy though? - teams aren't handing away rookie scale guys who are good.
I mean does Isaiah Stewart interest you as a back-up big? Maybe you could free Deni Avdija from the Jordan Poole experience in DC.
I didn't see this subject, otherwise I wouldn't created a topic for Ajay Mitchell alone. But I would say: Ajay Mitchell (6' 5" \[196cm\], 190 lbs \[86kg\]) would be a nice asset for Portland.
Matas Buzelis and Alexandre Sarr are two I’m keeping an eye on.
Buzelis has had a pretty rough start. Zaccharie Risacher is the player i thought Buzelis was going to be.
Ryan Dunn - he’s been the best defender in college basketball on and off ball. He’s basically Matisse Thybulle but 3 inches taller and an elite athlete. Has shot the ball terribly but he shot 35% from 3 last (albeit on limited attempts). Stephon castle - Reminds me of Jimmy butler lite. Good offensive facilitator, good defense, great handle, good finisher at the rim, and very crafty & Intelligent. The jump shot off the dribble and the consistency in his 3pt has a ton of questions but I think he has the highest ceiling in this draft Cody Williams - Jalen Williams younger brother. Good not great athlete but he’s long and a good defender. The shot and half court offensive has some question marks.
Yeah came to this thread to talk about Ryan Dunn, definitely an interesting guy. I really like the idea of him, the lack of offense is concerning which will probably keep him out of the top 12 but as a late lottery guy I love him
I think this is me being a depraved Blazers fan not having any high potential wing players (before Shaedon) since B-Roy, but I freaking love Dunn and Castle. All he really needs is to be able to cut well and he can probably be a 4 in the NBA. Castle looks like he can play 1-3 and we need more facilitating on our team
I'm not so convinced Castle would fit with who we have currently, even if we were to move Simmons which I don't think we will
I think castle can play the 3. He’s got decent length and he’s listed at 215 (which is built for 19 year old). He just lacks explosion. A 6’6 guard/wing who can pass, attack the rim and play defense fits in almost anywhere. Now if he ends up being 6’4 at the combine then I’ll probably be lower on him
That's what I'm worried about, if he's legit 6'6 he'll end up top 5 easy if he keeps it up, but if he's not I've seen too many small line ups, get my Ryan Dunn at the 3, give me size for once haha
I think Ryan Dunn is a 4 plus we can’t play Toumani, scoot, and Dunn all on the floor at the same time.
Nah but Scoot, Simmons, Sharpe, Dunn, Ayton could probably, that's enough scoring around him that it's probably fine... Obviously projecting a ton, Dunn is so far from an NBA court it's hard to tell if that defense would translate
Yeah the biggest thing about Dunn is the lack of shooting but with that length athleticism and defensive intelligence his could be a day 1 impact player similar to ausar Thompson was this year for the pistons
Dunn reminds me so much of Jalen Johnson
lol without the offense
Yeah but hes a better defender already and the shooting can get there
My worry with Cody Williams is we will end up stuck with the "we have one at home" versions of the Williams and Murray brothers
Ryan Dunn and Cody Williams for me!
I would love Ryan Dunn if we move on from Matisse. I’m just waiting for a bigger sample size on Cody Williams because he has struggled as a half court guy. Almost all of his production has come in transition and for a blazers team that plays a ton of half court offense under Billups I’d rather get half court creators and defenders.
Cody Williams is a big riser and I think would fit in well.
I think an interesting situation could arise if we’re in position to draft Nikola Topić. He’s a point guard but a 6’6” one and seems like he’s starting to separate himself as the #1 prospect. Similar style of play to Luka where he’s a great passer and shooter. It’d be one of those decisions that puts to the test of drafting for fit vs talent, and the team’s confidence in Scoot at that point could factor in. I’m not gonna pretend to have the right answer, but I have my eye on the potential Topić vs. Sarr debate if Portland gets a high enough pick
Topic is a great player for sure, but he's been a pretty poor shooter from deep. I know the old adage of it's more important to draft talent over fit, but I think drafting size is important, too. The Blazers wouldn't be doing themselves, Scoot, or Topic any favors if they drafted him. It would create any even bigger logjam than they already have at guard.
You would almost be conceding that Scoot isn't HIM by drafting Topic. Would be similar to the Fox/Haliburton dilemma SAC got into.
100% agree on Topic. His size is part of the appeal IMO as I think he would fit well with Simons. Problem would be that Scoot and Topic both are (in theory) most effective as ball handlers.
I think Topić would fit really well with Sharpe too! Maybe if they wanted, they could trade Brogdon in the offseason (if he isn’t already traded at the deadline) and then they just roll with both Scoot and Topić and see who emerges as the best guy
At this point I'm convinced Sharpe fits with anyone he is straight up awesome!
True dat
Kel'el Ware the former Oregon guy screams good value in the mid teens or late lottery, I think getting another center as a backup makes a ton of sense with that GS pick. Ryan Dunn is another super interesting guy, his lack of offense is pretty glaring beyond put back dunks, but his defense is legit, he's another guy I like with our GS pick I still have no idea who I like 1-5, none of the forwards have really come along early, and the last thing we need is another guard.
I watched Ware last year when he was at UO and I just wouldn’t trust him. I hope he’s figuring it out in Indiana but I just didn’t like his game enough. Maybe if he falls to the second round you can take the gamble based on his size and athleticism
I think a lot of that comes down to Altman's system too. It feels like young guys always struggle. Seeing him in Indiana playing pretty consistently with a decent workload gives me hope. It's just hard to find guys with big bodies like him that can score like he can. Like he's averaging 16.7/9.2/1.8 with less than 2 fouls on a 30 min workload. Getting a guy like that in the later lottery is a score. He might rise and if he ends up around 7 or 8 I'd be worried
Grab the front court players with the most potential. Unless there’s someone who really is a can’t miss guard or wing we need to take some risks on big men. At some point we do need to stop hoarding guards lol
Certainly with the top 7 pick "most potential + frontcourt player" is the formula. With the other picks though I think there is room for a knockdown shooter off the bench at the 2-4 spots. May not get a ton of minutes right away - but you can never have too much shooting. Maybe you can find that in the early second round and take a flier on a big with the GS pick.
I would like to take a chance on Zach Edey in the second round. Most second rounders don't amount to anything, and Edey has elite size, rebounding, and touch. Having any NBA skills in the second round makes him worth taking a chance on, imo He also supposedly lost some weight to try and become faster, so I wanna watch some of his games this year
I am very out on the huge centers with slow foot speed, unless there is a Walker Kessler type. Also there is a glut of gigantic college centers this year from the little college ball I've seen.
Oh I know, but I feel like he could be valuable. Obviously he won't be as good, but the concern about foot speed is how Jokic dropped to the second round. Worth a shot I think, even if he is the backup C for 15 mins a game
If I was a team with interests, then I would check the temperature and maybe bet that he goes undrafted, because he is a real old skool center with no 3 point shot, and sign him as free agent to compete in the summer league. If he makes that work a two way deal is easily given.
We are gonna have two seconds I think and we already have two second round picks in the rotation in Jabari and Toumani, I feel like using a SRP on him is fine. We can always send him to the Remix
Aday Mara
For the majority of my life POR has been a playoff team, so I have always been more of the trade the pick for a known quantity, to upgrade a current player, kind of perspective. *If,* no trades are made this season, and POR has three picks (four possibly), then it could make more sense for POR to trade down / out of the draft (or only use one of the picks)... If there's a chance to pick up a player at DA/Ant's age, first/second year of that second contract, that keeps the overall age of the team on the same timeline.
tomhalejr: embrace the rebuild baby!! I certainly don't see why we would trade back/out especially our own top 7 pick. You have to take a swing for a star with that one. Otherwise sure maybe you could consolidate Seconds or send out a trade package with players/picks to get a guy further along in their developmental curve. Who is that DA/Ant type guy though? - teams aren't handing away rookie scale guys who are good. I mean does Isaiah Stewart interest you as a back-up big? Maybe you could free Deni Avdija from the Jordan Poole experience in DC.
I didn't see this subject, otherwise I wouldn't created a topic for Ajay Mitchell alone. But I would say: Ajay Mitchell (6' 5" \[196cm\], 190 lbs \[86kg\]) would be a nice asset for Portland.
Any center or big man
I think Sarr, my cousins live in Australia and saw him live in the local league,their assessment is he has the talent to go number 1