Portland Trail Blazers 2018/19

[Thurston]

Based on who Portland has brought in for workouts, there's some buzz that Olshey might be looking at the second round moreso than the first; the rumor is Olshey may try to package the #25 and an expiring (Evan Turner) for a cheaper expiring, and then try to pick up a second rounder. Depending on the FA market and what kind of deal he could get elsewhere, it's possible that could lead into a Kanter extension.

The Kings have been targeted as potential trade partner because they have cap space to absorb Turner, they're good enough to make the playoffs next year with additional help and management is desperate to break their lottery streak, they need guard/wing help, and they often do dumb things like trade for Evan Turner. So fingers crossed!

[Phalanx]

Based on who Portland has brought in for workouts, there's some buzz that Olshey might be looking at the second round moreso than the first; the rumor is Olshey may try to package the #25 and an expiring (Evan Turner) for a cheaper expiring, and then try to pick up a second rounder. Depending on the FA market and what kind of deal he could get elsewhere, it's possible that could lead into a Kanter extension.

The Kings have been targeted as potential trade partner because they have cap space to absorb Turner, they're good enough to make the playoffs next year with additional help and management is desperate to break their lottery streak, they need guard/wing help, and they often do dumb things like trade for Evan Turner. So fingers crossed!

This is great news. Hopefully, the Kings have heard all about Turner's intangibles. In case they are reading this, I should mention that he made every single 3-point shot he attempted in the playoffs this year.

Of course, the alternative way to look at who they are bringing in is that Olshey plans to draft someone who would normally go in the second round in the first round and give them a guaranteed contract. We call it the "Swanigan strategy".

Oops, hopefully the Kings weren't reading that part.

[Merganzer]

Pick #25 Nassir Little, SF, North Carolina. Jay Billas says he's a "top 10 talent."

[Duck07]

Pick #25 Nassir Little, SF, North Carolina. Jay Billas says he's a "top 10 talent."

I like the Gerald Wallace comparisons.

[greenyellow]

At the point where Portland was drafting, you take best available/most potential. If he can develop his handling and shooting a bit, he may very well be a steal in this draft. If both him and Simons turn out well, Portland could have found a couple underrated gems late in the 1st round.

[Merganzer]

2019 NBA Draft Grades: Experts Rave Over Blazers’ Pick of Nassir Little


https://www.blazersedge.com/2019/6/20/1 ... little-unc

[Phalanx]

6'6'' for a wing is pretty short, and he can't shoot from three. Other than that, this is an amazing pick. It reminds me of the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson pick in 2015. He fell further than everyone thought, and he was proclaimed a major steal by the Blazers at 23. Incidentally, I heard RHJ is available as well, since the Nets have declined to re-sign him after his rookie deal expired. The conventional wisdom was that his defense was strong and his offense would eventually improve. Apparently that didn't happen. I'm sure it will work out with Little though.

[Phalanx]

Olshey said something in the post game presser that I thought was interesting. He said there were 'roster spot issues' in answer to a question about trying to get into the second round, as if the roster was already loaded. Right now, there are 10 guys under contract, with Little making 11. Free agents include Curry, Hood, Kanter, Layman, and Aminu. It's hard to imagine the Blazers being able to bring back four of those guys, given their salary cap woes. He may have meant that he would need the spots to sign low-cost veterans or something, but the way he said it was like the spots were already full.

He also strongly hinted that Anfernee Simons is about to blow up, which is something that Lillard and others were saying at the end of the season as well. If that is true, it might make them less motivated to re-sign Curry, who probably showed enough this season to get a bigger contract somewhere else.

[Thurston]

6'6 is a bit short but that 7'2 wingspan is nice.

[Duck07]

6'6 is a bit short but that 7'2 wingspan is nice.

That isn't even short by SF standards. That's just dumb.

[Phalanx]

C'mon, man, this isn't even an argument.

Kevin Durant 6'9''
LeBron James 6'8''
Kawhi Leonard 6'7''
Paul George 6'9''
Giannis Antetokounmpo 6'11''
Jayson Tatum 6'8''
Brandon Ingram 6'9''
Moe Harkless 6'9''

Even guys who split time at off guard are taller:

Andrew Wiggins 6'8''
Trevor Ariza 6'8''
Jimmy Butler 6'8''
Evan Turner 6'7''

It's not saying there aren't any 6'6'' small forwards (Iguodala, comes to mind) but it is on the short end for the position, and he will have to guard taller players. I agree that the wingspan will help. I just wonder if he even has a position in the NBA. It looks like he was accustomed to playing more like a power forward in high school and college, and everyone is taller and quicker in the pros. I think there is probably a reason why he fell all the way to 25.

[Boom]

He has NBA athleticism and measurables for the wing. He hasn't shown that he can dribble, pass, or shoot though. Definitely a project, but that should be expected at pick 25.

Hopefully he dominates summer league and we flip him with an expiring after FA settles.

[alxtw]

Judging a player's height as a barometer for being "too short" to play the position is misleading. In general, the standing reach is a more accurate indicator. (ie Allen Iverson was under 6ft but had the average standing reach of a 6'3 player) Obviously there are many other factors that come into play.

[greenyellow]

Judging a player's height as a barometer for being "too short" to play the position is misleading. In general, the standing reach is a more accurate indicator. (ie Allen Iverson was under 6ft but had the average standing reach of a 6'3 player) Obviously there are many other factors that come into play.

That's where the saying "You don't defend with the top of your head" comes from. Overall height is nice but it's not the whole story when judging someone's potential physical and athletic abilities.

[Phalanx]

Judging a player's height as a barometer for being "too short" to play the position is misleading. In general, the standing reach is a more accurate indicator. (ie Allen Iverson was under 6ft but had the average standing reach of a 6'3 player) Obviously there are many other factors that come into play.

I think this is a good point. An 8'9'' standing reach puts Little near the middle to upper middle of NBA small forwards.