Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin didn’t hide his disappointment over the lack of luck in the draft lottery, according to Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. Cronin called it a “mini-gut punch” when Portland wound up with the No. 7 pick.
“Then you say, ‘OK, we’ve got work to do,” said Cronin, who is unsure whether he’ll retain the pick or look to deal it. Cronin is now at the draft combine.
“We’ll get through this week and get through the interviews and see the guys play, and get the medicals,” he said.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Given that the Trail Blazers‘ stated intention of returning to playoff contention next season, dealing their lottery pick is the most likely scenario, Jason Quick of The Athletic opines. If they don’t make a trade, Shaedon Sharpe — who practiced but didn’t play for Kentucky this past season — could be the pick if he’s still on the board. It’s also a probability they’ll restart talks with the Pistons regarding a potential Jerami Grant deal, Quick says.
- There are no untouchables on the Jazz roster, but league sources indicate that if they deal one of the All-Stars, it would more likely be Rudy Gobert than Donovan Mitchell, Sarah Todd of the Deseret News writes. Outside of that duo, Bojan Bogdanovic is the biggest trade asset the team possesses despite his age, Todd adds.
- The Thunder wound up with the No. 2 and No. 12 picks in the first round. GM Sam Presti said it could come down to the wire what they’ll do with those selections, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. “We don’t really even finalize those (ratings) until a little bit before the draft, to be honest with you,” Presti said. “They’re always changing.”
Cronin should note what team is drafting right behind him at #8, before concluding it was a lack of luck that made his anticipated lottery pick disappear.
He needs to look at the history of other teams.
Before moving up to no 1 in 2020, Minnesota had never moved up in the draft lottery. Not once.
Sure they did; unless you’re saying that finishing with the worst record slots you into the 1st over pick. But that’s not the system (never has been, actually, even before the lottery). Worst overall record slots you 4th most likely, 5th minimum. If a ping pong ball gives you a higher than that, you moved up.
It should also be noted that NO team that doesn’t win a ping pong ball can EVER moved up above slot (only go down or stay level). So, it doesn’t need to be emphasized that it never happened for MIN or DET. It can’t happen to any team. It’s the system.
Jazz:
Trade Gobert, Gay and ONeale for Hayward, Rozier, the 15th pick and a future first.
Trade Mike Conley for sign and trade Mitchell Robinson.
Then fill out the roster using FA to get cheap role players such as Montrez Harrell, Danuel House and Paul Millsap.
At 15th draft Ochai Agbaji.
1. Rozier. Clarkson. Butler
2. Mitchell. Agbaji. NAW
3. Bogdanovic. House
4. Hayward . Millsap. Hernagomez
5. Robinson. Harrell. Azubuike.
Start building around Donovan Mitchell with other young players. Rozier is a great complementary player. Good defence, good secondary ball handling and good outside shooting.
Hayward is a former Utah favourite and another good scoring option.
Robinson is a young defensive centre who will try to replace Gobert and should improve in Utah. Montrez Harrell is a great bench player with Clarkson and they will get buckets.
Agbaji can develop behind Mitchell and Millsap returns to we’re he started for his final season.
Might not be as successful as last season at first but going younger and building around Mitchell is the right decision.
The Hayward hate after he left though, not sure he’d be willing to go back, probably not.
Trade Gobert & Conley please, going nowhere with these two.
It would be funny to see Gordon go back. But your plan is solid.
Mitchell is not a PG. Management said so when they got Conley.
Robinson no Gobert. Hayward does not stay healthy. Team is worse.
Rozier is the PG of this team, Robinson isn’t Gobert but he is a young defensive centre. Will give you 12-12 with a couple blocks like Gobert, cost half as much and is almost 10 years younger.
Hayward has injury concerns but on this team he would be a role player and not expected to do as much heavy lifting.
Way I see it,
Mitchell gives you 20-25. Rozier/Bogdanovic/Hayward/Clarkson/Harrell all give you roughly 15-20 a night.
Just from these 6 you’ll get 95-125 points.
Now defensively losing Gobert hurts but Rozier is actually a better defender than Conley. Mitchell Robinson can defend the paint well. Hayward ain’t terrible, There isn’t a weak link defensively besides Harrell who will out score your reserve big man anyway.
Portland needs to get a reality check. Getting Jerami Grant won’t put them in the same class as GSW, Dallas, Phoenix. Etc. I think they need to have their sights on someone like Jalen Duran, Nurkic is a FA and they don’t have anyone who can replace him. Portland should be trying to acquire a guy like Siakam with that 7th pick or possibly Kevin Love who is from Oregon. They never had a big man after LaMarcus left for Dame and it’s time to change that.
Siakam for 7th pick, Bledsoe, and Hart plus Winslow. Then with the 7th pick Raptors can go get a Murray/Sochan or Mathurin.
Portland has Siakam/Dame/Simmons (resign) and could possibly steal Looney from GSW and then have Winslow at the 3.
Ignore my Winslow at the 3 comment. They can go get someone like DJJ at the 3 or get a Kyle Anderson who can play multiple positions.
I agree, but can they shake loose Siakam? I think they have to give up something substantial like Simons… also, I think its more realistic Kevin Love comes over after next year, or the trade deadline, earliest.