RealGM

We had some people request a 2024 draft thread in favor of the upcoming season, after the Dame thread sort of descended into scattered draft talk about prospects. We're unlikely to be good this season, so go ahead and start the draft talk early.

All about prospects, the GLI, college season, euro season, etc.

There are a number of European players that are coming over to play college basketball for
UCLA, Arizona and Kentucky all have a 7'0 guys who enrolling and the 2024 draft might be
that tailor made for the size challenged Blazers, who likely will have a top 5 pick.

Let's just see how these guys play in college and in the G league

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2024-nba-mock-draft/

I am interested in Mara.

Portland also has two second round picks as well. Would love it if we gambled on some big men with them.

Anybody heard anything about Tavares? I've been in Disneyland and out of the loop...

I actually think Nurkic is going to start the season with the Blazers...which could be good for Scoot--to have a solid screen setter and veteran/smart short roll man. Although, watching Nurkic try and finish might cause me to lose the rest of my hair...

At the same time if he actually can regain some of his prior form as he distances himself from his injury and his role changes a bit? Who knows. He might make himself more tradeable at the deadline...

Really early - but right now this kid is my guy -

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/nba-draft-kentucky-lands-unicorn-prospect-zvonimir-ivisic

Obviously just highlight scouting, but his combination of athleticism, fluidity for his size and a functional 3PT shot (Even to the point of making stepbacks and such) really make him 'pop' for me. Calling it now - he will be a Top-5 pick - has all the tools you look for in a modern big man.

Mara is more cerebral, but much less gifted athletically / mobility wise. IMO you need to get the ball into Mara's hands for him to really hit his potential and I am unsure if he is talented enough to warrant that - Ivisic on the other hand has a toolset that projects to be impactful when he isnt dominating the ball IMO.

Clingan is another guy I really like - but not so much with our own pick (Which is likely Top-5) - he is just too limited to warrant a slot that high. If we could get another middle FRP, he would be a great snag as a low usage rim protecting specialist, enforcer and rebounder.

Matas still sits atop my big board - think he is a PF in the league in the mold of a Turk as a medium outcome (Better athlete though). Has some Franz to his game, and I am a really big Wagner stan (Think he can be a #2 on a championship team).

BlazersBroncos wrote:Really early - but right now this kid is my guy -

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/nba-draft-kentucky-lands-unicorn-prospect-zvonimir-ivisic

Obviously just highlight scouting, but his combination of athleticism, fluidity for his size and a functional 3PT shot (Even to the point of making stepbacks and such) really make him 'pop' for me. Calling it now - he will be a Top-5 pick - has all the tools you look for in a modern big man.

Mara is more cerebral, but much less gifted athletically / mobility wise. IMO you need to get the ball into Mara's hands for him to really hit his potential and I am unsure if he is talented enough to warrant that - Ivisic on the other hand has a toolset that projects to be impactful when he isnt dominating the ball IMO.

Clingan is another guy I really like - but not so much with our own pick (Which is likely Top-5) - he is just too limited to warrant a slot that high. If we could get another middle FRP, he would be a great snag as a low usage rim protecting specialist, enforcer and rebounder.

Matas still sits atop my big board - think he is a PF in the league in the mold of a Turk as a medium outcome (Better athlete though). Has some Franz to his game, and I am a really big Wagner stan (Think he can be a #2 on a championship team).

I fully agree on Ivisic. I don't think I've ever seen a player that size navigate the court with the ball in his hands as well as he does.

zzaj wrote:

BlazersBroncos wrote:Really early - but right now this kid is my guy -

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/nba-draft-kentucky-lands-unicorn-prospect-zvonimir-ivisic

Obviously just highlight scouting, but his combination of athleticism, fluidity for his size and a functional 3PT shot (Even to the point of making stepbacks and such) really make him 'pop' for me. Calling it now - he will be a Top-5 pick - has all the tools you look for in a modern big man.

Mara is more cerebral, but much less gifted athletically / mobility wise. IMO you need to get the ball into Mara's hands for him to really hit his potential and I am unsure if he is talented enough to warrant that - Ivisic on the other hand has a toolset that projects to be impactful when he isnt dominating the ball IMO.

Clingan is another guy I really like - but not so much with our own pick (Which is likely Top-5) - he is just too limited to warrant a slot that high. If we could get another middle FRP, he would be a great snag as a low usage rim protecting specialist, enforcer and rebounder.

Matas still sits atop my big board - think he is a PF in the league in the mold of a Turk as a medium outcome (Better athlete though). Has some Franz to his game, and I am a really big Wagner stan (Think he can be a #2 on a championship team).

I fully agree on Ivisic. I don't think I've ever seen a player that size navigate the court with the ball in his hands as well as he does.

I think Poku had similar movement skills but Ivisic has a much better shot and seems to understand his limitations way better.

Johnny Furphy is another guy I really like - Aussie SF (6'7-6'8 or so) with plus athleticism, plus motor and a nice shot. Playing for KU this year.

https://theathletic.com/4747935/2023/08/03/kansas-johnny-furphy/

Right now Ivisic and Furphy would be my dream class if we managed a 2nd FRP - but everything will change when the kids actually get on the floor.

Buzelis is likely the top pick at this point for the 2024 draft and might have given Scoot a run
at going second in most drafts.

2024 draft is setting itself up as thin for guards/wings but great for anyone who needs a big, which
is perfect for Portland. Buzelis, Grant, Sharpe and Scoot would be a great foundation for Portland.

Simple - get the big we need in 2024 and tank for Flagg in 2025 after his reclassification.

G - Scoot
G - Sharpe
F - Grant
F - Flagg
C - 2024 Big Man

Simple lol

Flagg reclassifying to 2025 eligibility, as had been rumored for a bit but not set in stone, is huge. Just absolutely huge.

Makes 2025 a lot more interesting class and far more palpable to know we'll likely (hopefully) be tanking that year.

Flagg will be in the 2025 draft.

The 2024 draft will give Portland what they desperately need (size). Portland might still be in the lottery
in 2025 but that draft might end up being like the 2023 draft.

Depending what they get from Lillard trade, their foundation should be solid by 2025, similar to OKC, Houston.
They need to just allow the pieces to grow together

Cooper is literally the resurrection of Bobby Jones but with better scoring tools.

Likely one of those rare guys that is at 3+ APG, 8+ RPG, 3+ STOCKS with fundamental defense, unselfish play, plus motor, etc. AK47 gets thrown around but not sure Cooper is as twitchy (AK47 was the twitchiest white athlete I have ever seen in basketball - probably by a decent margin). But IMO a better fundamental player by a good margin than AK47.

Guy is the ideal fit next to 2 scoring guards. Its a fit made to happen.

Interesting...

Matas Buzelis called Stephon Castle the best player "in our class" on JJ's podcast. Castle is certainly prone to hooplock from what I've watched of him, but also is fully capable of warping Ds and making some spectacular passes...

zzaj wrote:Interesting...

Matas Buzelis called Stephon Castle the best player "in our class" on JJ's podcast. Castle is certainly prone to hooplock from what I've watched of him, but also is fully capable of warping Ds and making some spectacular passes...

Castle looks like Sharpe's twin.

BlazersBroncos wrote:

zzaj wrote:Interesting...

Matas Buzelis called Stephon Castle the best player "in our class" on JJ's podcast. Castle is certainly prone to hooplock from what I've watched of him, but also is fully capable of warping Ds and making some spectacular passes...

Castle looks like Sharpe's twin.

Ha! Yeah he does, lol

Castle looks like he has a little more craft around the rim and ability as a high end passer.

Real early, so these threads are kind of pointless. But I'll throw out Ron Holland as someone to watch. Another G-league Ignite player, which means professional development. If he performs, he'd be a great wing to complement Sharpe/Scoot.

I've heard Clingan described as something between Kessler and Mark Eaton... probably more athletic than either. IDK how accurate that description is but I could definitely get behind that TYPE of player.

After watching more Matas I think there is a clear, considerable gap between him and the 2nd best prospect in this draft.

Think Detlef with 2020's 3PT volume and more STL + BLK - elite 3rd offensive option who can be the secondary facilitator and does all the little things.

Absolutely ideal fit next to 2 high usage scoring guards in Scoot and Sharpe.

Holland is much more of a ball of clay - think he is more of an Aaron Gordon level guy.