Could the Blazers actually take 5 players in this draft? I say yes

by SalemORguy on Jun 17, 2009 5:14 PM PDT

and this is why...

If you will remember back to last year, the Blazers had a slight to enormous lack of talent on their summer league team. This lead to playing Bayless as the 2 guard and making him into a scoring machine. He got to show off his amazing driving and finishing ability and it earned him Summer League MVP honors.

Going into Summer League this year the Blazers have committed to playing Bayless at the PG spot. They want him to run the team and show off his abilities as a passer, but how is he going to show that with even worse teammates than he had last year? I don't think Koponen is coming over for Summer League. I haven't heard that Freeland will be joining him on the team. Batum is going to be playing with the French national team. It seems to me if Bayless is going to have any chance of being a pure PG for this Summer League team, the Blazers are going to need to get him some help.

Now, if the Blazers can manage to pick up a back up PF with their first pick like DeJuan Blair (he seems to be falling on draft boards because of concerns about his knees) he would join Bayless on the team. In the second round of the draft you can take as many players as you like because none of them receive guaranteed contracts. So the Blazers take..

Jodie Meeks - Kentucky SG

Danny Green - North Carolina SF

Josh Heytvelt - Gonzaga PF/C

Jerel McNeal - Marguette SG

Do the Blazers end up signing any of these players? It's possible, but the truth is these players are selected simply to give Bayless the type of teammates needed to show the Blazers just how well he can play as a PG. Now I might have gone overboard, maybe they only use 4 of the 5 picks, but you have to take some real players in the second round so Bayless doesn't end up playing 1 on 5 again this summer.

What do you think? Should the Blazers use their second round picks just to help Jerryd in Summer League? Is this a good idea? Should I be banned from ever making another fan post?

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I say no.

We’re not wasting draft picks just to give Bayless better teamates at the summer league

by Falcao on Jun 17, 2009 5:32 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think so. All 5 picks would be very expensive, and KP has made it pretty clear he wants to keep cap flexibilty.

by dario argento on Jun 17, 2009 5:40 PM PDT reply actions

Only until he's done using it.

by pualo on Jun 17, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions

right, but he will want it for free agency I think, or after the draft, when the new salary structure kicks in and we are officially under the cap and can make lop-sided trades.

by dario argento on Jun 17, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

There aren't cap holds for second-round draft picks.

by AK1984 on Jun 17, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Mmm hmmm, i forgot. Thanks for reminding me. Well we should stache a few Euro players then maybe.

It’ll be interesting to see how many players we add through this draft, with free agency looming, the draft, and 4 open roster spots. I know NBA insiders think some teams will not keep the full 15 man roster, but I have a feeling Portland will use all the spots.

by dario argento on Jun 17, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

KP says we are not going to add another 4 rookies this year

at this point getting younger just doesn’t make sense anymore

That's right, that's a picture of me with my new bff Joel Przybilla. He said my Billy Idol Karaoke was spot on.

by svlittle on Jun 17, 2009 5:43 PM PDT reply actions

He didn't say they wouldn't add 5 though.

Hee hee, I can picture Nate’s reaction.

"Just kidding"

by CatMan2 on Jun 17, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Preseason is where Bayless can showoff point guard skills

Winning the summer league is like being the league’s best JV team. It doesn’t matter to anyone.

That's right, that's a picture of me with my new bff Joel Przybilla. He said my Billy Idol Karaoke was spot on.

by svlittle on Jun 17, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions

thanks for the feedback

the lesson as always – I am an idiot

by SalemORguy on Jun 17, 2009 5:54 PM PDT reply actions

Hey you can get banned for callin' somebody that!

But seriously, don’t take anything you read on BE too seriously. It’s all about havin’ some fun and talkin’ hoops. Or whatever ….

"Just kidding"

by CatMan2 on Jun 17, 2009 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Nah, I beat you to it.

Even before you posted this.

εἴγε καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι οὐ γυμνοὶ εὑρεθησόμεθα.

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by T Darkstar on Jun 17, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions

NO

Unless we draft 3 or 4 international players.
KP has already said in a interview that you shouldnt expect many rookies this year since we had 3 last year.
I really see us trading up and getting 2 quality rookies. Maybe Terrence Williams and Earl Clark.

by quezadaz on Jun 17, 2009 6:20 PM PDT reply actions

we had 4 rookies last year

Oden counts

Greg Oden = Robert Parish - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jun 17, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Batum, Rudy, Oden and Bayless... correct me if I'm wrong

Greg Oden = Robert Parish - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jun 17, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Your right

I dont even know why i put 3. Thanks for correcting me please

by quezadaz on Jun 17, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

We could draft five players, but at least three would be stash in Europe guys. Claver, De Colo, Beaubois, etc.

proud hinrichsheeple

by Cablinasian on Jun 17, 2009 7:19 PM PDT reply actions

Rather than select unproven foreigners with the 55th and 56th picks in the 2009 NBA Draft, Portland ...

should offer the draft rights to whomever the team takes with those choices to another ballclub for future draft picks.

On that topic, here’s one idea I have on how to accomplish that objective.

“I, too, am all for trading away the 55th and 56th picks in the 2009 NBA Draft for future assets. A team that has a couple of 2010 second-round draft picks like the Indiana Pacers would be a perfect trading partner. The Pacers have shown a penchant for foreign players, too, as evident by Erazem Lorbek — although he did play college basketball in the United States despite being born in Slovenia — and Stanko Barac. So, all things considered, the Pacers may trade its own 2010 second-round pick and a 2010 second-round draft pick via the Dallas Mavericks for the draft rights of two foreign-born prospects (e.g., Emir Preldzic & Milenko Tepic). Although I see Preldzic as Bostjan Nachbar and Tepic as Zoran Planinic, a mediocre front office executive like Larry Bird — who should’ve stuck with coaching — might see some potential in them.”

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/31/894097/trade-drawer-5-31-kiss-keep-it#16396281

Oh, and apropos of 24th pick, I’m down with trading out of that spot entirely under the right circumstances.

For whatever it’s worth, here’s a couple of hypothetical ways to accomplish that objective.

TRADE PROPOSAL #1

FROM GOLDEN STATE & TO PORTLAND
PF Brandan Wright ($2,497,320)

FROM PORTLAND & TO GOLDEN STATE
24th Pick (e.g., Austin Daye)
PF Joel Freeland (Draft Rights)
PG Petteri Koponen (Draft Rights)
Cash Considerations ($3,000,000)

http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5121180

In this case, the $2,912,823 trade exception acquired from trading Ike Diogu to the Sacramento Kings for Michael Ruffin would be used to absorb Brandan Wright’s contract.

TRADE PROPOSAL #2

FROM PORTLAND & TO NEW JERSEY
2010 First-Round Draft Pick (Via The Dallas Mavericks)
Conditional Draft Pick(s) (Via The Golden State Warriors: Top-14 Protected In 2011, Top-11 Protected In 2012, & Top-10 Protected In 2013; If First-Round Pick Isn’t Conveyed By 2013 It Becomes A 2013 Second-Round Draft Pick & 2015 Second-Round Draft Pick)

FROM PORTLAND & TO NEW JERSEY
24th Pick (e.g., Omri Casspi)
PF Joel Freeland (Draft Rights)
PG Petteri Koponen (Draft Rights)

I, by the way, would only consider trading out of the first round is if DeJuan Blair isn’t attainable by trading up or Darren Collison is off of the board by the time #24 rolls around on the clock. Even if Blair is snagged by another team, Taj Gibson and/or Jeff Pendergraph should be availabe with the 32nd pick.

Lastly, I’d target Nick Calathes with the 38th pick. Although Calathes is under contract with Panathinaikos through the 2011-2012 season, it may be a savvy move to draft him, hold onto his rights in the meantime, and possibly bring him over as a replacement for Rudy Fernandez after his rookie contract expires in the summer of 2012.

by AK1984 on Jun 17, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I still like the Net's deal

Givony reported that NJ likes Casspi, but they obviously don’t want to select him at #11. He also said that Portland is “really high” on Blair. So, KP could deal Sergio and the #24 (and maybe extra $ plus a 2nd rounder) for the 11th pick. NJ saves money by getting Casspi at a better slot for his guaranteed rookie contract, and the Blazers get their banger

What’s not to like?

by two4larue on Jun 17, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

We'll make trades...

we don’t need that many rookies, and rookies are cheaper than other players. They will be a valuable commodity this year as teams attempt to shed expenses. No idea how many we’ll get rid of, or really anything about what kind of trades could happen. This year everything is so wide open, that I have no idea where we’ll end up.

Chris Dudley for three!

by wilbjammin on Jun 17, 2009 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

You were right about one thing

The Blazers need to surround Bayless with better talent than what was on the 2008 summer league team. I would love to see him passing the ball to great shooters and big men who can finish

But the way to “get” those players on the Vegas squad isn’t necessarily through the draft. By all means draft Blair, get him signed (or at least an insurance waiver) and put him on the SL roster. There’s one of your low post finishers. But the “other” guys don’t have to be rookies, they can be kids who have some European or D-league experience and are jonesing for an NBA job, and not necessarily for Portland.

The beauty of the SL (from a free agent NBA-wanna-be’s point of view) is that virtually every NBA scout and GM is in the gym, watching your every move. Few undrafted players will ever be NBA stars, but there are fall training camp positions at stake, and NBA hoop dreams to pursue. What the Blazer coaches and scouts need to do is cherry-pick the best offensive players from this pool and not worry so dang much about defense this time around (Blair, hopefully, will take care of the rebounding!) Put some scorers around Jerryd and tell him to pass first, then we’ll see how he does running an offense in Vegas when he doesn’t have to be the focal point.

KP should use at least 3 of his 2009 draft choices to make deals for veteran players

by two4larue on Jun 17, 2009 7:41 PM PDT reply actions

i dont think the front office

will judge bayless’ playmaking ability by stats alone. having good teammates probably wont be necessary. they will see how he leads the team, and if he is making good decisions with the ball. if the players can’t convert the bucket, no one will hold it against bayless. if he ends up with 3 assists, but his passes leads to his teammates getting to the line, or if they botch layups or open shots, it wont be a big deal as long as bayless gave them a good look.

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by Philthyanimal on Jun 17, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

no one will hold it against bayless

Well, the coaching staff won’t

But the stat-meisters might, especially in years to come

“Will you just look at Jerryd’s crappy assist-to-turnover ratio in the 2009 Vegas league! That proves he’s a shooting guard in a PG’s body!”

by two4larue on Jun 17, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Bayless had at least two GREAT NBA shooters in all of his minutes last year

Does that mean his numbers from last year are actually better than they ought to have been?

by as11osu on Jun 17, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I give up

you can’t possibly be referring to Koponen and Batum

I was talking about the summer league, not the regular season. Last summer, the Blazers told Jerryd not to worry about running the offense as much as just playing his game. (They also brought Petteri over, and so Bayless had to split the PG minutes.) Even so, last year’s summer league big men in particular weren’t great finishers. So there weren’t a lot of assists to be had, if you catch my drift. This year, the coaches are asking JB to run the show first, and look for his own second—the least they can do is to put scorers around him who can make sure his dimes lead to hoops, and not TOs.

I don’t expect another 30ppg for JB this time around. He could actually have a “better” SL in Vegas this year, and not come close to winning the MVP.

by two4larue on Jun 17, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I think KP will pick 5, but 2 will be Euros that he has no intention of bringing over.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jun 17, 2009 11:36 PM PDT reply actions