Portland: The draft bulletin
Fresh off a Conference Finals lose to the newly crowned CSL Champions in Oklahoma, Portland have wasted no time bringing in the leagues future rookies for a closed practice workout and psychometric testing. With the Trailblazers finally holding their own pick for the first time since Cleasby took the reins 2 seasons ago they are clearly focussed on finding a diamond in the rough.
Portland will likely be holding pick 19 subject to any ruling changes or pick forfeits yet to be announced by the league administration. Player who have been touted around this position include, Michael Young, Dwayne Bacon and Eric Mika according to the big boards over the year. Of course we do not know whether Portland have brought in any of the guys listed above for a workout but they will be hoping they can have the same kind of luck they encountered last time when they picked up Joe Ingles late in the first round who has proven be a more than capable starter in this league.“We have been scouting throughout the season. So we know who is terrific and who is going to be a good player at the next level and who we should be avoiding because they cannot defend or shoot in a game that requires this skill. I have lost count of the number of prospect videos I have watched this year. Yes the top 6-7 are going to be great players but as usual we are looking for specific player to fit our team philosophy and I am excited to see what is available when we pick”.
We have seen it so many times with the Western powerhouse teams holding late picks and their ability to pick a guy who was passed over for any range of issues or reason but somehow seems to turn into a rookie sensation overnight. Portland will be hoping to have a similar kind of luck and skill when the night drops to them and they called upon to make the pick.“Clearly we are not looking at the top of the draft this year. Which means we will not be able to bring in a guy who can hit the ground running from day 1 as a starter. The situation we find ourselves in is that we will be looking for a guy we can either develop in house or hopefully be productive by the end of year 2 or someone who is a real specialist and can bring a skill we are lacking in the rotation. Which means we need to have out eye on the ball from the start as this draft really is wide open when it comes to the middle tier of players”.
In terms of roster, Portland are entering the draft as well in a similar situation. Not requiring any burning need for position or a specific skill, they have a unique opportunity to take a flyer on a guy who many teams could pass over for certain factors. There is no doubt that Portland’s management team will be looking at the best player available when the time comes.
We will wait for more detail on the draft to come out and keep our ears to the floor to see who walks out of Oregon post workout.
2028
