Posted 02/14/2013 9:32 AM

1)  That diamond you refer to will just as likely be found in the second round as the first, in this year's class...
2)  As I've posted previously, NO's best move may be to sell the pick in trade as a pick likely to be lottery, netting max value in return (possibly packaged with Hickson, Babbitt) only to then use new roster to make that playoff push.  I believe the people are in place in this front office to pull off such a savy move.  Let's face it.  Aren't we as this team's staunchest supporters already buying the "mailing in" of the season, netting a lottery position?  This is the "glass half full" perspective.

Posted 02/14/2013 10:06 AM

I've never believed in tanking for a draft position and I'd trade this year's pick in a heartbeat. We have several expiring contracts and a valuable trade piece plus cap room so I think the team is in pretty good position as it is to bolster the bench and get a great player.

Posted 02/14/2013 10:08 AM

I think Olshey is really busy right now with agents and GMs and expect breaking news at the deadline but the rumor mill seems to be pretty much filler from bloggers around the league

Posted 02/14/2013 10:14 AM

^ There will be more moves made for monetary reasons than for basketball reasons at the deadline, in my opinion.  Salary dumping is a necessity for many clubs.  Just my take.

12 year NBA vet and Kentucky alum Rex Chapman was just on the nationally syndicated Jim Rome show and said, in his opinion, this years draft may very well be the weakest in NBA history.

Posted 02/14/2013 10:34 AM

i wouldnt mind at all to lose this year´s draft pick...

i think we would get better results either now or in next season if we sign a few D-League players like Jerome Jordan(Center) or Shelvin Mack(Guard), that are some of the best of the Dleague...

An  there is also Hassan Whiteside, 7´ Center, nice defender, and can also score. He was waived by the Kings... oh wait JJ Hickson was waived by them too... Why not give him  chance? like we did with Hickson, low risk... since we arent reaching the playoffs, it is time to do something!

Posted 02/14/2013 11:46 AM

There is some very nice talent in this draft. Last years draft was supposed to be the deepest ever and I am not really impressed. 

Anthony Davis

Damian Lillard 

Andre Drummond 

All three are big time talents. The next Ray Allen Bradley Beal is not. Thomas Robinson has been disappointing. Waiters is a volume shooter and slasher, Barnes has been okay, I like Ross but he has not been good this year either. Austin Rivers has been a joke. Leonard is years away. Henson looks pretty good though. Marshall has been dreadful, Zeller is as good as he will ever be, White is a joke, Moultrie not ready, Nicholson has been good. 

I know it is still early but the scouts touting any class as the best or worst ever certainly does not seem reliable. If I was Portland this is exactly the type of draft I would want to load up picks on, why because everyone says it sucks. There is plenty of talent in this draft and if the picks can be acquired cheaply then we should load up.

Players like Doug McDermott, Victor Oladipo, Cj McCollum, Tony Mitchell, are all going to be under valued.

Ben McLemore, Shabazz Muhammad are elite SG's which is important because they just do not exist in the NBA anymore. Its Wade, Kobe, Harden and then who? Noel is at least going to be the next Larry Sanders and maybe better if his offensive game develops. Cody Zeller has a lot of skills and he could very easily become a similar player to Brook Lopez or even Lamarcus Aldridge. Marcus Smart is a tank he has been a bit ball dominant which has hurt his stats but the tools are all there. 

There is a lot to like about this draft. Sure the late lottery is a little iffy filled with skinny 7 footers but I really believe this draft has more talent in it than people give it credit for.

Posted 02/14/2013 1:22 PM

I'm sorry, but I don't agree that Cody could be an All-Star.. Both Aldridge & Brook Lopez were beasts in college. Brook Lopez more offensively. But cody has size, just don't think he's know how to use it as well, and against NBA Centers I think he will be a bottom of the bucket starting center at best.

 

@River I absolutely agree, I think we're looking at some trades right now. but the league is trying to figure out who/what give them there best return on a trade. I hope we give enough to make an improvement. One thing I know about Portland is that no matter who it is, we will embrace them and accept the fact that we are at least attempting to make this team better, even if that player is not exactly the best 6th man or role player.

Posted 02/14/2013 2:27 PM

@cmeese...I like McLemore alot, much more so than lefty.  However, he is just a freshman and at 6'5", may be slightly undersized defensively speaking, at the next level.  His athleticism is off the charts, movements very fluid.  Unselfish and efficient, shooting better than 50% from the field while staying within Self's offense. 

That said, comparing Zeller to LaMarcus is ludicrous.

Posted 02/18/2013 10:42 AM

Victor Oladipo is my favorite player in this draft.

Posted 02/18/2013 12:17 PM

What exactly is the deal with draft pick? Do the Bobcats have to take this year's?

Posted 02/18/2013 12:18 PM

And I like Mcadoo

Posted 02/18/2013 12:23 PM

Sug if our pick ends up as #13-30 then Charlotte has the rights to the pick as part of the Gerald Wallace trade if our pick is 1-12 then we keep the pick and the debt moves to next season.

Posted 02/18/2013 12:26 PM

Thanks then I agree with everyone haha

Posted 02/18/2013 12:35 PM

Has anyone watched Oladipo play this year he is awesome 64% shooting, 52% from three, almost 6 rebounds and over 2 steals a game. The guy is an elite defender very similar to Tony Allen or Thabo Sefolosha. However, with his athletic ability he seems to have a much better offensive game. He would be a perfect fit on the bench here.

Posted 02/18/2013 5:56 PM

Does anyone see a possible scenario of us getting CJ McCollum? Love his game.

Posted 02/19/2013 9:58 AM

Not sure Sug he is projected to be a late lottery pick so if Portland keeps their pick he could be a viable option. I would prefer Oladipo because he defense is elite and defense usually translates better than offense to the next level but probably would not complain much about McCollum

Posted 02/20/2013 5:19 AM

After doing some research meese, I would definately be in favor of extending a pre-draft workout invite to your Indiana kid, Oladipo.  

Posted 02/20/2013 8:37 AM

Oladipo is nice, but I think he'll be picked higher than where our pick will be anyways. Not that we're gonna have it

Posted 02/20/2013 1:29 PM

Problem is with Oladipo is he is moving up the board rapidly almost wish he has a bad tourney so he has a chance to fall to us.

Of course when people like Magic Johnson call him half D Wade and half Jordan is doesn't help our cause

Posted 02/21/2013 11:24 AM

Lol yeah, no I think he'll be picked high. He wasn't as talked about early on but now is shining from what I've seen. We'll see though

Posted 02/21/2013 1:09 PM

He has gone from unknown to second round defensive specialist to a national player of the year contender and likely lottery pick